Proud to be an Independent CANADIAN Publication
$1 INCLUDING GST
Your Independent Local Newspaper Established in 1918 VOLUME 103: ISSUE 21
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021
LOGAN OSLUND RECEIVES RYLEY LIONS SCHOLARSHIP. SEE PAGE 2
www.tofieldmerc.com
117 CHRISTMAS HAMPERS DELIVERED THIS YEAR. SEE PAGE 7
U of A makes history in Western Canada with Hesje Observatory MOUSH JOHN Editor
The virtual launch of University of Alberta’s Hesje Observatory on Tuesday, Jan. 12 made it the only university in Western Canada with a Dark-Sky Preserve Observatory. According to Glynnis Hood, who is the manager of the Augustana Miquelon Lake Research Station and also an Environmental Sciences professor at U of A, this facility is one of the only observatories that has the benefit of being in a designated Dark-Sky Preserve. “We can now have a very unhindered view of the sky, and to be able to see it in a more natural format reflects the importance of having DarkSky Preserves,” she said, expressing gratitude for the generous donation made by U of A alumnus and retired businessman, Brian Hesje. The Hesje Observatory, located at the Augustana Miquelon Lake Research Station, was made possible by Hesje’s donation of $500,000, who began his studies at Camrose Lutheran College before it became Augustana Campus and went on to earn degrees in education and business from the U of A.
The project began with the idea of a high-quality telescope for astrophysics classes, but eventually resulted in the building of an entire observatory, said Physics professor Gerhard Lotz, who is excited about the world of exploration the facility represents. “It gives us something to hang onto during these hard times of the pandemic – that there are things out there that are worthwhile and beautiful and exciting,” he said. “As an astronomer friend of mine likes to say, any good university should really have an observatory. This just puts Augustana Campus in good company. There are a lot of things to look at so more telescopes are better.” According to Lotz, many of the other observatories suffer the fate of increasing light pollution, being in cities or having cities creep closer and closer. “So our big advantage is location and the commitment to preserving the dark sky. Much less competing light allows our telescope to see dim objects better.” The main fixed telescope in the observatory dome is a 17” (43 cm) Corrected Dall Kirkham Continued on Page 2
What’s Inside
Frauds and vehicle mischiefs keep Tofield RCMP busy PAGE 4
Principal Janice Muench looking forward to Spring and new learning opportunities PAGE 5
Loose Ends: Our invisible house PAGE 5
Editorial: Nothing will get you nothing PAGE 6
What’s On TOP: University of Alberta staff at the newly opened Hesje Observatory at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park. BOTTOM: A PlaneWave 17″ Corrected Dall-Kirkham telescope inside the University of Alberta Hesje Observatory. SUBMITTED PHOTOS/DARON DONAHUE OF DONAHUE PRODUCTIONS
FCSS ‘Lunch & Learn’ webinar on Jan. 26 PAGE 15