May Meeting – 12th

Minas Astronomy Group –– May Meeting
Avonport, 475 Bluff Road
Saturday, May 12, 7 p.m.

Speakers: Melody Hamilton, Judy Black, Dave Chapman, Jerry Black

Chile’s Atacama Desert: Our Southern Sky Experience

During a human lifetime, Earth’s rotational angular momentum, a vector quantity, is nearly fixed relative to the distant stars. As a consequence, for observers in Nova Scotia (latitude 45 degrees north) Earth itself blocks our view of 15% of the Universe. Assuming that atmospheric absorption prevents adequate views within 8 degrees of our horizon, 20% of the Universe is effectively blocked from our view. You would think that with 80% of the Universe viewable from Nova Scotia, why would anyone undertake a trip south of the equator merely to see that missing 20%? And why Chile? Come to MAG on May 12 to find out!
Four MAG members journeyed to northern Chile to observe and image the splendours of the southern skies, most for the very first time. Come hear their stories and share their images.

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