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by John McDonald
I am just catching my breath after participating in the TC 10K
as part of the IYA team and reflecting on all the wonderful
activities that we have had in April.
Canada Post's launch of the beautiful astronomy stamps
was on April 2 and Dr. Pierre Coulomb, President of the
National Research Council of Canada visited the DAO on the
8th. I was proud to be able to show him our observatory and
he seemed to be pleased and impressed with the "Shed" and
the instrumentation.
Scott Mair organized the Solstice event at Gonzales Hill on
behalf of CRD again this year and the sun cooperated to make
it a fine occasion for the many visitors that showed up.
Earth Day celebrations at Centennial Square were also a
success with the Sun keeping us waiting just long enough to
build the suspense before coming out in very clear skies.
For me April has been a special month. I have had the
pleasure of teaching University 201 - Astronomy at
UVic to a class of very engaged adults. The 101-201 series
provides university level education to adults who have never
had the opportunity. I have rarely been so challenged and
excited in my teaching experience. The level of the
questions they ask and their enthusiasm just blows me away.
At the end of the class on April 14, the sky was clear and
Saturn turned out to be a special treat since most of the
class had never before had an opportunity to look through a
telescope. For giving Galileo moments that are truly
meaningful, this has been my personal best.
I was not able to attend the Tuesday evening IMAX and
lecture series events as my class met on those days but from
all reports they were excellent. Thanks to all the RASC
volunteers who helped to make these and all the IYA events
so memorable. You are great.
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