The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre is preparing for a very special cosmic event next month, the Transit of Venus. This is where Venus will pass between the Earth and the Sun, appearing as a dark shadow across the sun from our perspective, like a tiny eclipse.
Measuring Venus transit times to determine solar parallax. Credit: Vermeer, Duckysmokton, Ilia
These events are among the rarest astronomical phenomena to predict and they usually come in pairs, which are separated by a few years — then by over a hundred years. The last transit of Venus was in 2004 and after this year’s, we won’t see one again for another until the year 2117.
On June 5, 2012 you can visit the Gordon MacMillan Southam Observatory (next to the Space Centre) at 2:45pm to witness this. In the event of rain, head indoors and watch the live feed inside the Space Centre of a clear-sky location in Hawaii. Admission is by donation, supporting programs at the Space Centre.
There is an official site for the Transit of Venus as well as a mobile app that you can download for Android or iPhone. Follow the H.R. MacMillian Space Centre on Twitter for more information.
Bike to Work Week 2012 runs May 28th to June 1st as individuals are encouraged to leave their cars at home and pedal to the office.
It’s an opportunity to start up a workplace team, get some exercise, explore new routes to work, and enjoy community bike events. With gas prices hitting extreme highs, it might also be worth participating to give your wallet a break.
Throughout the week, over 50 commuter stations will be setup around the region to provide snacks, information, maps, and free bike repairs. Participants can register for Bike to Work Week online to count calories, plan their routes, and find out how many greenhouse gas emissions they saved by cycling instead of driving.
Commuter Stations span from South Surrey to North Vancouver so it’s likely there will be one of these informative pit stops along your way.
Bike to Work Week is presented by HUB (formerly the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition): “a non-profit society here to make cycling better through advocacy, education and celebration. We’re leading the way in making cycling an attractive choice for everyone in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.”
A few months ago Darren Barefoot sent me a tweet with a link to “Dexter Goes Kayaking”. A mounted camera captured a kayaker and her dog, Dexter, enjoying a paddle in False Creek. This inspired me to look up more kayaking videos from around Vancouver:
Living by the water, it’s not often that most of us get out on it for a paddle. There are plenty of options for kayak rentals and lessons around Vancouver including Deep Cove Kayak, Ecomarine Kayak, Kit’s Kayak Crusades, and more.
The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards are being held tonight at the Westin Bayshore to recognize outstanding women who have contributed to a variety of professional fields and communities around Metro Vancouver.
2012 Business & Professions recipient Patricia Graham of Pacific Newspaper Group
For the third year as a sponsor, I am presenting a live blog tonight that will include photos, quotes, and Twitter updates from attendees, nominees, and esteemed presenters.
Please check back after 6:00pm Pacific Time for the live coverage to begin and follow @Miss604 on Twitter as well as the official account @YWVanWODA (updated by Hailey Flynn) or the tag #WODA (for Women of Distinction Awards).
Update 6:25pm: We have arrived at the awards for the evening and the reception is hopping. Silent auction items are out on display and the WestJet prize table is busy. Anyone in attendance can enter to win a trip for two anywhere WestJet flies — and the best part is that proceeds support the programming of the Metro Vancouver YWCA.
Tonight’s program will begin in a few minutes, once the nominees have their photos taken up on stage. Dinner will be served and awards will be handed out in the following order: Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
When searching for content for today’s Vancouver Icons or Vancouver History feature I put the word out on Facebook and user Raven Moon suggested posting about the Planetarium’s building. The Planetarium, officially known as the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, is located in one of the city’s most recognizable buildings over in Kitsilano and is this week’s Vancouver Icons feature.
The building was designed by architect Gerald Hamilton who made the roof in the shape of a woven hat worn by Haida men and women. It opened in 1968 and was originally to house the The Centennial Museum, and the Vancouver Museum did move in at that time as well. Due to financial backing of lumber magnate and philanthropist H.R. MacMillan, the planetarium was added to the design of the building.
Hamilton also designed the East Asiatic House in Vancouver, on Pender and Bute, as well as the Civic Centre and Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa.
You’ll know if someone has lived in Vancouver since before the 1990s when they call the building the “Planetarium”. It was renamed the Space Centre in late 90s — with H.R. MacMillan prefixed to both names. The Vancouver Museum was re-branded as the Museum of Vancouver in 2009.
Each of these entities offers unique programming, events, and education on a variety of topics. Follow the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre on Twitter @AskAnAstronomer to find out more about activities in the building and in the outer reaches of the galaxy.
