Hello Friend,

Ever been to the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, in Victoria, BC?

I was there a few years ago, and frankly it's a most impressive 1.8 metre telescope
with a most delightful history.

Jim Hesser, a distinguished member of the RASC Victoria,
retired in January, 2014 as Director of the National Research Council's Dominion Astrophysical Observatory,
Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics in Victoria, B.C., which he joined in 1977.

And alongside it, is a public  educational facility called the "Centre of the Universe".

They had programs to educate the public, and schoolkids about the wonders of the night sky.

Due to budget cuts last year, the National Research Council chose to close this facility down,
which is a real shame.

Now I thought of calling Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the phone, and imagined the conversation
might go something like this:

Ray: "Prime minister Harper, Sir...don't you think that we should be doing more to promote astronomy
         and science today, as in investment in our future"

PM Harper: "And what does this have to do with bitumen, Ray? Don't you know I've got my hands full
                      right now, trying to build a pipeline out in BC!"

-click- dialtone.....................

Ok, so we do need to get our priorities in order perhaps.

But never fear.... the Victoria Centre of the RASC to the rescue.

Seems there members have stepped up to the plate, along with many other concerned citizens
and are offering public nights where the main observatory is opened to the public,
and then members of the club set up their telescopes for the public to view through.

Kudos to them for their efforts to keep the Centre of the Universe as a going concern.

Clear Skies,

Ray "Science first" Khan

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