A TALK by SAM ALTMAN
"SPACE ART"
Presented by The Friends of CRC
CRC Auditorium. Thursday, January 30, 2003.
1:00 p.m.
The spectacular colour pictures of the many different features of the universe and galaxies by NASA and its Hubble orbiting telescope have captured our attention and imagination. However, Space Art became available decades earlier; first, to illustrate the covers of the many sci-fi pulp magazines (Astounding, Analog, Asimov, et al). Then - upon the advent of computer graphics - to enable space fiction and fantasy videos (Star Trek, Deep Space Nine, et al) as well as cinema (such as 2001, and the Star Trek movies).
Space Art started in 1865, with illustrations for Jules Verne's space novel "From the Earth to the Moon". From then until the computer graphics in the latter part of the 20th Century, Space Art aficianados have created unique art. Chesley Bonestell (U.K.), Scarfo (GE Valley Forge) and Sokolov (Russia) are outstanding such artists - usually collaborating with space scientists and writers. Some Space Art by Bonestell, Scarfo and Sokolov are shown by slides. The background of these artists is briefly portrayed. Their work must have had influence on subsequent computer graphics Space Art - used in "science fiction and fantasy" movies, TV and videos.
From the January,2003 Newsletter:
Friends,
We have been having problems for the past number of years finding a person to be President of the Executive Board of Friends of CRC. During this period a few of the Executive have accepted this position on a rotating basis so that we would have someone to prepare an agenda and Chair our monthly meetings plus a few other duties. Ross Fines has volunteered several times and has been our President for over a year as well as looking after Communications. Don Ross has taken over as President as of January 1, 2003 and he has also done this before. He is helping with Membership as well. At our next Annual General Meeting would someone please accept this position even if it is only for one term. Think about it.
High Speed Internet Project:
I spoke with Simon from Luc's Group. He has not yet been in contact with anybody on the list we provided, but has looked at the locations and thinks two of them are close enough to the distribution centre. Under some gentle nudging he agreed to call these individuals today. The tests have not yet started.
In the event all that we can report is:- "The names of some six prospective participants had been provided to CRC who will shortly make a selection of two (likely) who are closest to the distribution centre. CRC's project manager for this project will be calling the individuals directly."
Regards, Nisar Ahmed
Update on SMARTscope as of Jan. 12, 2003
Since the last Newsletter we have made progress on equipment installation and have the precision telescope mount, the telescope, computer controlled focusser and wide angle finder CCD camera installed along with their related control cabling. The next step is full calibration of the computer controls for the telescope mount. Unfortunately, this requires a fair amount of night time clear weather observation, and November and December seemed to be even cloudier than usual this year. There were also the usual delays because of the Christmas/New Years holidays. We hope to complete calibration shortly, and get on to filter wheel and main CCD camera installation and testing soon after that.
Early December marked the point where the equipment was at a stage suitable for basic visual observation. As way of saying thank you for the help we have received, we invited CRC staff, and Friends of CRC members, to an open house and star party on Dec. 17. A considerable number of people dropped by during that afternoon for a look at the building and the installed equipment, and a demonstration of the dome and telescope controls. Quite a few also braved a cold winter night for a look through the main telescope at the moon, Saturn, Jupiter and a few brighter deep space objects. We also had four RASC members bring along their own telescopes to provide some additional viewing opportunities.
Cheers - Al Seaman
Publishing of Magazine:
The publishers of a magazine and web site commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Shirleys Bay site have been given permission to use portions of two articles published on the Friends' web site at http://friendsofcrc.ca. The articles relate to the Communications Technology Satellite, Hermes, and to the Janet program for meteor burst communications.
Submitted by Don Ross
In Memoriam
1 We regret to announce the death on December 26, 2002, of one of the oldest members of the Friends of CRC, Margaret Cameron, aged 101. Margaret was a native Ottawan, a dietitian who spent much of her early life in Philadelphia. For many years she operated the cafeteria at Shirleys Bay, until the service was let to contract. Miss Cameron was always concerned for the people in her care, a concern that continued in her later years at Somerset Towers and the Glebe Centre, where she was actively involved into her late 90's.
2 Helen McDougall, wife of Brian McDougall and sister of Cam McQueen, passed away on December 30, 2002, after a short illness. We express our condolences to the families.
Submitted by Don Ross
On December 20, 2002, Ross Fines, Don Ross and Neville Reed met with Judy Boulet and Tony Variano from CRC management. This was a meeting which is held annually to discuss the work of the Friends of CRC and to determine how we can be helpful in promoting the activities of CRC. As usual, CRC was very interested in our work and agreed to continue providing the same valued support that they have given us over the years.
Submitted by Nev Reed
Seminar:
"Inertial Navigation Systems - an In-Depth Seminar"
by
Myron Kayton, Santa Monica, California
Monday 3 Feb 2003, 1.30 - 3.30 pm
Auditorium, Bldg 2A, Communications Research Centre
3701 Carling Ave, Ottawa
Myron Kayton will present a detailed review of the history and present status of Inertial Navigation Systems, supported by illustrated overheads. The presentation will be of benefit to those familiar with the basics of Inertial Navigation, but wish to obtain a greater understanding of the design and implementation processes involved. The presentation will be in some detail. There will be a question and answer period. It is expected that a printed handout will be available.
Myron Kayton, who has his own consulting company in California, is well informed about all types of radars and navigation systems; he has written a number of books on the subject. He is an excellent speaker, and is coming to Ottawa under the AESS "Distinguished Lecturer" program.
Co-sponsored by the IEEE AESS (Aeronautical & Electronics Systems Soc), Robotics-Automation-Control-Systems and Vehicular Technology Society - Ottawa Chapters, and the Friends of CRC
Submitted by Hugh Reekie
Correspondence:
I spent five years with the DRB at Shirley's Bay, seconded from the Canadian Army, as the military advisor.
In that time I felt that I was part of the research team involved in projects to help the Canadian Army in performing its tasks.
Of not too much help to the military, but much help to automobile owners, was my patented electronic ignition system (rabbit), which was developed while at CRC and became a favourite device for automobile owners at that time. And was installed in many military vehicles.
Another popular programme with the scientists, which I initiated, was the annual trip to visit Canadian Troops in Europe while they were participating in the major NATO exercise. This was to indoctrinate the scientists in military needs - plus a holiday for those chosen to go.
In spite of not achieving any major scientific accomplishment I do however feel that I should be considered for membership in the Friends of CRC Association. My major accomplishment is probably having sired a son (David W. Halayko) now permanently employed at the CRC and being the grandfather of Jason W. Halayko, who too worked at the CRC for a while.
Three generations from one family "ain't" half bad.
SERVIVIMUS PATRIÆ NOSTRÆ
E.W. Halayko PEng, CD
Greetings, CRC Friends,
My father was Harold Serson, who is mentioned in one of your articles re: The RPL Mobile Observatory. Can you kindly let me know if I can email Del Hansen who wrote that article? Perhaps I can also write to Gerald Poaps, who may have worked with my Dad up north in Resolute.
My Dad passed away about 13 years ago, but I still keep lots of his records and photos dating back to when I was born - 1955. Most of them I can't identify, but our family did spend a work term in Prince Albert.
Terry Serson Rolfe
By e-mail:
We just received a card from Rene Hogarth. She tells us that her husband Dr. Jack Hogarth passed away in Kingston last August. Dr. Hogarth was one of the scientists who were involved in 'Operation Wood Duck' that was the test to determine whether geese migrations would cause false alarms when passing through the doppler radar 'Pine Tree Line'. The test was conducted about 1953 or so along the north shore of Lake Erie, from Kingsville to Long Point. This photogenic project was recorded on movie film with script by Jack Bateson (deceased). The Hogarths and Wilsons had houses next to each other as part the eighteen homes self-built by mostly RPL employees under the auspices of the Meadowlands Annex Housing Cooperative circa 1954-55.
John (Jack) Wilson
