In 1983 the Society purchased its second building, 136 Dupont St. Comet Halley's 1985-86 apparition brought with it a significant boost in membership numbers. The Plaskett Medal was instituted (jointly with CASCA) in 1988; by this time there were 22 Centres across Canada.

Beginning in 1960 the annual meeting became known as the General Assembly, ultimately being held in a different city each year. Three new Centres started, bringing the total to 16. The RASC was federally incorporated in 1968, the centennial of the founding of the Toronto Astronomical Club.

COMET and NOVA Section
of the Standing Committee on Observational Activities
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada

The Society continued to prosper during the 1950s. A new Centre was founded in Halifax in 1955. In 1956 the RASC purchased its own building (252 College Steet in Toronto). Members entered the space age in 1957, participating in the SAO Moonwatch program. The annual meeting was held outside Toronto for the first time (in Hamilton) in 1958. The Service Award was instituted in 1959.

See Also:

• Observer's Handbook back issues

See also:

• The 1932 Aug 31 total solar eclipse.
• Observer's Handbook back issues

The Society finally acquired its current name, "The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada" in 1903. The RASC Gold Medal was instituted in 1906. The Society also expanded to cities other than Toronto with the opening of Centres, starting with Ottawa in 1906. In 1907, the Journal and Observer's Handbook commenced publishing.

The surviving portion of the Society's lantern slide collection is shown in the image galleries above. C.A. Chant's 1930 slide set was issued for his accompanying handbook.

Note:  Galleries #2 and RAS are thumbnails only.

RASC Archives

Joint Meetings