MonSFFA’s 2025 Barbecue-in-the-Park Postponed Until Sunday, July 20, 10:30AM-4:00PM
Please take note: due to forecast thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon, MonSFFA’s 2025 Barbecue-in-the-Park has been postponed until our advertised rain date of next Sunday, July 20! MonSFFen and their families, as well as friends of the club, are invited to gather at about 10:30AM in Parc Maisonneuve on that revised date to enjoy a day of fresh air, sunshine (sans rain, we hope!), and fun with friends!
Sprawling Parc Maisonneuve, easily accessible by Metro (Viau, Pie-IX) or bus, is located in the city’s East End, adjacent the Botanical Gardens and the Olympic Stadium. Parking is available on site, or on nearby streets.
Our intention is to claim a picnic spot along one of the park’s lines of trees, not too far from the Chalet (washrooms) and parking lot; our “Preferred Picnic Area” is indicated on the map (below). Look for us within roughly that area.
Bring your own refreshments, snacks, and any meats you may wish to barbecue; MonSFFA will provide a grill. Should inclement weather again scuttle our plans, the event will be cancelled outright for 2025.
Voters’ Package: CSFFA members can download our voters’ package when you log into your account. It’s there to help you make informed decisions when you vote. The voters’ package is only available until July 12th (one week before the voting deadline) so download what you plan to vote for now.
RARE DOUBLE NAKED-EYE NOVA EVENT: An extremely rare event is underway in the southern hemisphere. Two stars have exploded at the same time, producing simultaneous naked-eye novas (V462 Lupi and V572 Velorum). Full story @ Spaceweather.com.
Above: Eliot Herman photographed V572 Velorum on June 28th using a robotic telescope in Chile.
TH 88r From Nic Farey (USA) “Do you love me enough that I may be weak with you? Everyone loves strength, but do you love me for my weakness? That is the real test.”
PurrMew94 from R-Laurraine Tutihasi (USA) Photos of critters we never see in our region, and her husband takes wonderful astrophotos.
Here’s finally some good news! Astronomers and sky enthusiasts have been waiting a long time for the Vera Rubin to come on line. The resolution of this camera is such that it can see a golf ball on the moon! — CPL
First celestial image unveiled from revolutionary telescope
Ione Wells, South America correspondent
Georgina Rannard, Science correspondent
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory The first image revealed by the Vera Rubin telescope shows the Trifid and Lagoon nebulae in stunning detail
A powerful new telescope in Chile has released its first images, showing off its unprecedented ability to peer into the dark depths of the universe.
In one picture, vast colourful gas and dust clouds swirl in a star-forming region 9,000 light years from Earth.
The Vera C Rubin observatory, home to the world’s most powerful digital camera, promises to transform our understanding of the universe.
If a ninth planet exists in our solar system, scientists say this telescope would find it in its first year.
RubinObs Three large white buildings stand on top of a dry mountain in a desert. One has a domed roof. In the background the sky is blue and looks dry. A yellow crane is in front of the three white buildings which are the Vera Rubin observatory. A dusty road leads up to the buildings.RubinObs
Rubin Observatory and the Rubin Auxiliary Telescope in Cerro Pachón in Chile
It should detect killer asteroids in striking distance of Earth and map the Milky Way. It will also answer crucial questions about dark matter, the mysterious substance that makes up most of our universe.
In a press conference on Monday, the observatory revealed that in 10 hours, the telescope detected 2,104 new asteroids and 7 space objects close to Earth.
All other space and ground surveys combined usually find about 20,000 asteroids in a year.
This once-in-a-generation moment for astronomy is the start of a continuous 10-year filming of the southern night sky.
2025 Club Field Trip – Tomorrow, Saturday, June 14
We remind club members that, as our 2025 club field trip, MonSFFA will be visiting the new exhibition on knights at Old Montreal’s Pointe-à-Callière museum. Mark tomorrow, Saturday, June 14 in your calendars!
This exhibition recently opened at “Montréal’s Archaeology and History Complex” (the Pointe-à-Callière museum). The standard adult admission charge is $29, with various discounts available for seniors, students, etc.
Getting to the Museum
The nearest Metro station is Place-d’Armes; from there, it’s a 10 minute walk to the museum via rue Saint-Francois-Xavier. Also, the 50 bus, running along rue de-la-Commune, stops at the museum. Paid parking is available in the area, primarily in the Old Port.
Note: for those travelling by bus and Metro, a transit strike is expected to begin this week, however, regular service is promised by the striking union over the weekend of the 14th-15th. As such, buses and the Metro will be running, as usual.
MonFFen to Meet-Up at Museum
Our plan is to meet tomorrow, Saturday, June 14, in the museum’s main entrance lobby at 1:00PM (don’t be late!). We will then enter together at about 1:30PM. As always, each individual is responsible for their own entrance fee and any other expenses incurred, such as lunch or gift shop purchases. For any interested, we will make our way to a nearby restaurant after our visit to enjoy a post-field trip dinner.
Information on the Exhibition
Reads the museum’s promotional text, “Delve into the heart of history with ‘Knights,’ a fascinating exhibition that stirs up the spirit of chivalry. From the battlefield to the royal court, this exhibition explores the various aspects of the life of knights.” The world of knights is fully explored, including “their training, their place in society, and their code of honour.” Exquisite examples of European weaponry and armour, sourced from Italy’s prestigious Museo Stibbert, are among the over 250 pieces on display, showcasing the skill of the period’s craftsmen.
Note that there are also other exhibits of interest at Pointe-à-Callière, including studies of Montreal’s founding and past, the history of the iconic Dow Brewery, and an immersive and interactive family exhibition on pirates and privateers.
Pointe-à-Callière museum, Old Montreal
Museum’s Address and Contact Information
Address: 350 Place Royale, Old Montreal, QC, H2Y 3Y5
As our 2025 club field trip, MonSFFA will be visiting the new exhibition on knights at Old Montreal’s Pointe-à-Callière museum. Mark this Saturday, June 14 in your calendars!
This exhibition recently opened at “Montréal’s Archaeology and History Complex” (the Pointe-à-Callière museum). The standard adult admission charge is $29, with various discounts available for seniors, students, etc.
Getting to the Museum
The nearest Metro station is Place-d’Armes; from there, it’s a 10 minute walk to the museum via rue Saint-Francois-Xavier. Also, the 50 bus, running along rue de-la-Commune, stops at the museum. Paid parking is available in the area, primarily in the Old Port.
Note: for those travelling by bus and Metro, a transit strike is expected to begin this week, however, regular service is promised by the striking union over the weekend of the 14th-15th. As such, buses and the Metro will be running, as usual.
MonFFen to Meet-Up at Museum
Our plan is to meet, on Saturday, June 14, in the museum’s main entrance lobby at 1:00PM (don’t be late!), then enter together at about 1:30PM. As always, each individual is responsible for their own entrance fee and any other expenses incurred, such as lunch or gift shop purchases. For any interested, we will make our way to a nearby restaurant after our visit to enjoy a post-field trip dinner.
Information on the Exhibition
Reads the museum’s promotional text, “Delve into the heart of history with ‘Knights,’ a fascinating exhibition that stirs up the spirit of chivalry. From the battlefield to the royal court, this exhibition explores the various aspects of the life of knights.” The world of knights is fully explored, including “their training, their place in society, and their code of honour.” Exquisite examples of European weaponry and armour, sourced from Italy’s prestigious Museo Stibbert, are among the over 250 pieces on display, showcasing the skill of the period’s craftsmen.
Note that there are also other exhibits of interest at Pointe-à-Callière, including studies of Montreal’s founding and past, the history of the iconic Dow Brewery, and an immersive and interactive family exhibition on pirates and privateers.
Pointe-à-Callière museum, Old Montreal
Museum’s Address and Contact Information
Address: 350 Place Royale, Old Montreal, QC, H2Y 3Y5
Marc Garneau has passed away, aged 76. He was Canada’s first astronaut. I had the pleasure of meeting him twice, first at the Canadian Space Agency in St Hubert, and again at an Earth Day celebration in Westmount. Tributes are pouring in. I heard Andrew Fazekas, the Night Sky Guy, this morning on CBC radio speak of how inspired he was by Marc.
