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After an over ten-year hiatus, I attended the Woodstock Field Naturalist Club meeting on Monday March 4, 2024, after running into a friend. It was nice seeing familiar faces again and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Every September I meant to attend a meeting and rejoin, but something always came up.
Club President, Roger Boyd, welcomed everyone, and introduced two new members who joined after attending the Woodstock Recreation and Leisure Fair on March 3rd. Treasurer, Marilyn Merkley reported that 370 people visited the Woodstock Field Naturalists’ Club’s display at the fair, where various items were handed out. The Leisure Fair was very successful, so much so, that the event maybe held at the Woodstock Fairgrounds next year instead of Goff Hall to accommodate the crowd.
Diana Yungblut, who oversees outings for the Club, reported going to Long Pont on Saturday March 9th, leaving at 9:00 a.m. from the parking lot across the Woodstock Public Library. However, due to expected rain, the outing was postponed until next Saturday, March 10, 2024.
Daria Koscinski, in charge of program, introduced the guest speaker for the evening, her friend Ryan Fraser; an award-winning astrophotography whose pictures have apparated in Canada’s national astronomy magazine SkyNews, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, CTV News, as well as in the in the 5th edition of NightWatch, a Canadian best-selling astronomy book.
Ryan told the audience that his fascination with the night sky began when he was six years old when his uncle gave him a copy of OWL Magazine, where he fell in love with the centrefold of the space shuttle.
Ryan showed a fascinating slide presentation of photographs of the universe, including stars, planets, galaxies, and auroras, and talked about each feature. For instance, he explained how in about four billion years, the Milky Way will collide with the Andromeda Galaxy, which is 2.5 million years light years away, to form one galaxy.
After an over ten-year hiatus, I attended the Woodstock Field Naturalist Club meeting on Monday March 4, 2024, after running into a friend. It was nice seeing familiar faces again and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Every September I meant to attend a meeting and rejoin, but something always came up.
Club President, Roger Boyd, welcomed everyone, and introduced two new members who joined after attending the Woodstock Recreation and Leisure Fair on March 3rd. Treasurer, Marilyn Merkley reported that 370 people visited the Woodstock Field Naturalists’ Club’s display at the fair, where various items were handed out. The Leisure Fair was very successful, so much so, that the event maybe held at the Woodstock Fairgrounds next year instead of Goff Hall to accommodate the crowd.
Diana Yungblut, who oversees outings for the Club, reported going to Long Pont on Saturday March 9th, leaving at 9:00 a.m. from the parking lot across the Woodstock Public Library. However, due to expected rain, the outing was postponed until next Saturday, March 10, 2024.
Daria Koscinski, in charge of program, introduced the guest speaker for the evening, her friend Ryan Fraser; an award-winning astrophotography whose pictures have apparated in Canada’s national astronomy magazine SkyNews, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, CTV News, as well as in the in the 5th edition of NightWatch, a Canadian best-selling astronomy book.
Ryan told the audience that his fascination with the night sky began when he was six years old when his uncle gave him a copy of OWL Magazine, where he fell in love with the centrefold of the space shuttle.
Ryan showed a fascinating slide presentation of photographs of the universe, including stars, planets, galaxies, and auroras, and talked about each feature. For instance, he explained how in about four billion years, the Milky Way will collide with the Andromeda Galaxy, which is 2.5 million years light years away, to form one galaxy.
Ryan Fraser's picture of the Sun
He also had numerous pictures of various nebulas. A nebula is a giant cloud of gas and dust in space, resulting when a star dies and explodes. When a giant star explodes, it is called a supernova. Other nebulae form new stars, when dust and gases, hydrogen and helium get big it collapses and the centre heats up to form a new star. Orion is a nebula in our galaxy that is remnant of an old star named Betelgeuse. As a dying star, it shows up red and new stars show up blue in colour.
A nebula is a giant cloud of gas and dust in space
Other pictures of nebulas Ryan showed consisted of the Flame Nebula, Horsehead Nebula, Bubble Nebula, Fish Head Nebula, Monkey Head Nebula, and Gum Ball Nebula to name a few.
Ryan informed the audience anyone Interested in astronomy should purchase the book NightWatch; get a good pair of binoculars, not one used for birding, 8 by 56 is ideal; and invest in a good telescope like the 8 Dobsonian, although portable, its not good for photography.
Ryan informed the audience anyone Interested in astronomy should purchase the book NightWatch; get a good pair of binoculars, not one used for birding, 8 by 56 is ideal; and invest in a good telescope like the 8 Dobsonian, although portable, its not good for photography.
Ryan's telescope with his camera attached
With the spectacular event of our lifetime occurring on April 8. 2024, Ryan provided tips on how best to see the total solar eclipse. In this region, Long Point is the best location to view when the moon will totally block the sun’s light from the Earth, casting sudden darkness. The best time will be from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Ryan ended his stunning presentation discussing light pollution. How 11 years ago one could see the Milky Way by naked eye but now must drive to Tobermory or Algonquin. Light pollution also interferes with migrating birds. He explained how the industrial section in London, ON is using more lights then residents after business hours. Ryan approached a car dealership and asked to turn some of their lights off. They compiled by changing their lighting system, aiming lights down rather than up and cutting the wattage. Daria thanked Ryan for his presentation to warm applause by the audience.
For rambles, Richard Skevington asked what people are seeing. Jeff Skevington saw butterflies in Long Point. Other sightings included bees going to skunk cabbage and pussy willows to turtles sunning themselves.
Berry Merkley read out the winning ticket for the 50/50 draw which Jerome Van Erve won $28, which he donated back to the club.
Roger concluded the evening by stating how explorer and author Adam Shoalts, will present “From Lake Erie to the Arctic, a 3,400 km Canoe Journey” at the next meeting on Monday, April 8, 2024.
After the meeting, I made sure to join up for the rest of the season. Aside from meetings and outings, the Woodstock Field Naturalist Club also has their annual Christmas Bird Count. Something that I continued to participate in. Check out my blog post “WFN 81st Annual Christmas as Bird Count” to learn more. Anyone interested in becoming a member can visit the Woodstock Field Naturalist Club website. An enlightened experience you will thoroughly enjoy.
For rambles, Richard Skevington asked what people are seeing. Jeff Skevington saw butterflies in Long Point. Other sightings included bees going to skunk cabbage and pussy willows to turtles sunning themselves.
Berry Merkley read out the winning ticket for the 50/50 draw which Jerome Van Erve won $28, which he donated back to the club.
Roger concluded the evening by stating how explorer and author Adam Shoalts, will present “From Lake Erie to the Arctic, a 3,400 km Canoe Journey” at the next meeting on Monday, April 8, 2024.
After the meeting, I made sure to join up for the rest of the season. Aside from meetings and outings, the Woodstock Field Naturalist Club also has their annual Christmas Bird Count. Something that I continued to participate in. Check out my blog post “WFN 81st Annual Christmas as Bird Count” to learn more. Anyone interested in becoming a member can visit the Woodstock Field Naturalist Club website. An enlightened experience you will thoroughly enjoy.
Note: Images courtesy of/& used with permission by RyanFraser.com
Related Links:
Homepage | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center
The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) By Katie Mac
Wonders of the Universe - BBC Earth
The wonders of the universe Canada - Search Videos
Related Links:
Homepage | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center
The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) By Katie Mac
Wonders of the Universe - BBC Earth
The wonders of the universe Canada - Search Videos
Quote: “dwarf galaxies, have as few as ten million stars. The biggest, the giants, have been estimated to contain in the region of 100 trillion.” ~ Brian Cox, Wonders of the Universe
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