Royal
Astronomical Society of Canada
La Societe' Royale
d'Astronomie du Canada
New Brunswick Centre du Nouveau-Brunswick
William Brydone Jack Unit
International Astronomy Day 2004
International Astronomy Day was celebrated in Fredericton by members of the William Brydone Jack Astronomy Club and The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. A display and solar observing was planned for the W.W. boyce York County Farm Market in downtown Fredericton. This market is visited by thosuands of people each weekend as a place to get crafts and many locally grown and baked or cooked goods.
The event was well asdvertised with the help of CBC radio both announcing it on the air as well as a live interview with members Don Kelly and Paul Gray the day before. Saturday brought cloudy morning skies with a chance of showers but they held off till after the market closed at 1pm.
A display with three tables was set up at 6:30am with items ranging from equipment to books and flyers for the different clubs and even information on good neighbour lighting. Members had 4 telescope on hand for solar viewing and with luck the sun did show itself although for only a short 30 minutes but a few dozen people used that chance to look through the telescopes and see the few sunspots. The remainder of the moring was spent talking to people who stopped by and asked questions as well as picked up information. Paul Gray had a small display of mirror grinding on hand as well. A few people including some young children took the chance to try there skills at pushing glass! The little 4.25 inch mirror was ideal for the children to try and most were exited about it.
By closing time at 1pm we had close to some 500 people visit our display. Even though the cool temps and clouds dampened the day it did not dampen the spirt or interest in astronomy!
