President's Message - March 2007

by Joe Carr

By the time you read this, our new roll-off roof observatory will be ordered.  As mentioned in last month's President's Message, this building will be for our exclusive use at the old 16" site on Observatory Hill, and the observatory will be paid for by the National Research Council.  This presents some exciting possibilities for our members, and it will certainly enhance our use of the Hill in future, irrespective of what equipment we decide will be housed in our new observatory.

A few months ago Victoria Centre applied to the BC Gaming Commission for funds to purchase a new 16" goto telescope.  The proposal stated that this scope would be used to offer public outreach through online access.  Unfortunately, BCGC turned down our proposal, although we are appealing the ruling. In the mean time, we will need to raise the funds from our members to make this happen.  It would obviously be desirable to install this new scope in our new observatory atop Observatory Hill, and hopefully some of you will be generous with your donations. We are currently re-examining what equipment would work best in the observatory, so if you have any feedback to give us on this subject, please contact our VPs or myself.

Although observing opportunities have been sparse since last November, lets all look forward to better spring weather!  We also have two events to look forward to:

I always look forward to both events, since it is such a good opportunity to see our members doing what they do best - showing their enthusiasm for astronomy.  Please plan to attend these events.

As always, please feel free to contact any of the Victoria Centre Council if you have any feedback to give us.

Joe Carr