Photo: © Kimberly Sibbald of Seven Skies Astronomy Ltd
Humans have been observing the night sky since the beginning of our history. Star-watching was a tool that helped us survive, enabling us to predict seasonal changes and track the passage of time. Now it connects us: we all share the same night sky.
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) brings together astronomy enthusiasts from around the world to further our mission of inspiring curiosity about and enhancing our understanding of the universe. Our 4,500 members in 30 centres across Canada pursue this mission by sharing their love of space with others in various ways.
Astrophotography
Kimberly Sibbald, Chair of the RASC Astroimaging Committee, discovered her passion for astronomy early in life. A pivotal moment came when she stood atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii, gazing at the pristine night sky. “Seeing the stars from that summit was unforgettable,” she recalls. Inspired by the experience, she began capturing the beauty of the cosmos through her camera lens.
“Since then, my husband and I have built an observatory together, and astrophotography has become a major part of both our lives, not just as a hobby, but as a way to share the beauty of the night sky with others.”
In her professional life, Kimberly works as a financial controller in the oil and gas industry in Alberta. But in her spare time, she trades spreadsheets for star charts—checking weather forecasts, tracking Moon phases, and planning nights under the stars at her private observatory or one of the RASC’s Dark-Sky Preserves. Once her gear is in place, she captures stunning deep-sky targets, such as nebulae—vivid clouds of dust and gas—or wide-field scenes of the Milky Way and the Northern Lights. It’s a passion that takes precision, persistence, and a surprising amount of work.
“In the early days, there were plenty of nights when nothing went right,” Kimberly recalls. Astrophotography comes with a steep learning curve, and the hurdles are many—cloudy skies, frost-covered lenses, battery failures, and temperamental equipment. Even when the weather and equipment cooperate, challenges continue at the computer, where one can spend hours wrangling complex editing software to bring faint celestial details to life. “Some nights, it felt like more went wrong than right,” she says. “But every mistake was a lesson that helped me get better.”
“One of the biggest factors in helping us move past those hurdles has been the RASC community,” Kimberly continued. “The members foster a culture of learning and sharing, and that support has been a huge part of our success. Access to their experience, advice, and encouragement makes a real difference, and I try to pay forward by helping others now, too.”
Looking to try it out? Start simple and be persistent. You don’t need the fanciest gear to get into astrophotography. In fact, that might make your journey more difficult. Starting with a DSLR camera can help you build a solid foundation in astrophotography while not overwhelming you with the steep learning curve associated with new equipment. “Join a local astronomy club like RASC. Having a supportive community around you speeds up learning and makes the journey so much more enjoyable,” advised Kimberly.
The RASC has been a source of support for Kimberly’s astronomy journey. “The RASC community provided knowledge, mentorship, and opportunities I wouldn’t have had on my own.” Kimberly now generously donates her time (and sometimes her photos!) back to the astronomy community, mentors new astrophotographers, and manages the national Society’s Astroimaging Certificates, which are awarded to members as they develop their astrophotography skills. “Being part of RASC has deepened both my technical skills and my passion for sharing astronomy with others.”
Outreach
The RASC’s overarching goal is to share astronomy through outreach. This comes in many forms, such as astrophotography, visual observing through a telescope, and even citizen science.
Following many years of interest in astronomy that began at a young age, Karim Jaffer took on the challenge of teaching astronomy at John Abbott College, a Montréal CÉGEP school. At that point, everyone in his family had an interest in astronomy. “We just jumped in, all four of us, feet first.”
Around this time, Karim joined the Montréal Centre of the RASC and began volunteering as their Public Events Co-ordinator. In doing so, he brought outreach activities to the Centre and his students, enabling them to contribute to the greater astronomy community in Montréal and beyond.
Throughout his time with the RASC, Karim has moved through several volunteer roles and currently chairs the Education and Public Outreach Committee for the national Society. “It gave me a chance to come back [to astronomy], but in the shoes I’ve always wanted to fill, which was the mentorship role,” Karim explained. “RASC allows me to take that mentorship outside of the classroom.”
In his time as chair, Karim has brought citizen science to the forefront of the RASC’s outreach initiatives. Astronomy is a rare field in which non-scientists can make meaningful contributions to science. “There’s a chance to participate in astronomy and in discoveries even if you’re not an astronomer or an astrophysicist.”
From collaborative observing projects, such as observing craters or asteroid impacts on the Moon, to larger-scale projects like processing data from space telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope, there are opportunities to be a citizen scientist at almost any level.
Why We Do It
“Astronomy gives us perspective—it reminds us how vast and interconnected the universe is,” said Kimberly. Humans have always been connected to the stars, and as the number of people living in cities grows, we become increasingly distant from the night sky. Pursuing astronomy as a hobby allows us to reconnect to our universe.
“Astronomy is accessible at any point,” Karim added. “No matter what your background is, there’s a starting point. And that’s not true of most hobbies. If you love something, there’s no reason to give it up just because your career takes you in another direction. And that’s what the RASC provides.”
Learn more at RASC.ca
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The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is a national, non-profit, charitable organization devoted to the advancement of astronomy and related sciences.