When a passion consumes us, it is only natural to want to share it. For a beginner, astronomy is a somewhat scary subject, fascinating to be sure, but intimidating. What could be more natural than wanting to popularize and communicate in our turn this knowledge that we have stored up as amateur astronomers.
There is a whole network of astronomy clubs around the world and Quebec is no exception. I have chosen to join a few clubs and I devote a considerable amount of time to them through various activities, as described below. To date, I have totaled more than 130 conferences or workshops given to other amateurs or the public. Please contact me if you wish to retain my services (in french or english).
2024, what a year it has been for me!
Now that I have recovered from my emotions, I am taking the time to write a few words regarding the honors that have just been bestowed upon me.
It is with great surprise and immense pride that I have just been awarded the Dollard-Morin Prize, national component, for 2024. It was the Fédération des Astronomes Amateurs du Québec that submitted my application for my volunteer work to promote amateur astronomy in Quebec. It really warms my heart that astronomy is gaining great visibility and that the spotlight is on our activities.
The award ceremony took place at the National Assembly of Quebec on October 25, 2024, with the Minister responsible for Sports, Recreation and Outdoor Activities, along with the regional component winners. A souvenir program is available at the following link: Souvenir Program 2024
See photos opposite.
The previous week, on October 16, Loisirs Laurentides honored the regional winner for the Laurentians a little in advance and, since I live in this region, they took the opportunity to honor me as the national winner. It was a beautiful ceremony, full of emotion with testimonies from my colleagues, friends and family, whom I warmly thank. More information at the following link: Loisirs Laurentides
To end this exciting month, I was awarded the Méritas trophy by the Fédération des Astronomes Amateurs du Québec at the 2024 convention held in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, near Quebec City. Another evening rich in emotions.
Thank you to all the organizers of these three events and to those who gave me their praise and encouragement, I will remember it all my life.
Prix Meritas 2024
Prix Meritas 2024 back home
The astronomy clubs where I am a member:
Le Club des Astronomes Amateurs de Laval
Member since 2012 and vice-president in 2017-2018. The club makes good use of an observatory with a 12-foot dome, owned by the city of Laval but where the club provides and operates its own telescope for public outreach. Other than the weekly meetings, weekend observing parties are held in Spring and Fall in a dark location, knowledge sharing and fun is guaranteed.
Le club d'astronomie Mont-Tremblant
Member since 2018. Secretary in 2021. President from March 2022 to March 2024.
I regularly present conferences and workshops on different topics and I lead monthly discussions by videoconference on astrophotography. It is the second largest astronomy club in Quebec. We had 154 members at the end of 2022.