7:00 – 8:00 General Meeting
Speaker: Tom Polakis – East Valley Astronomy Club
Topic: All About Asteroids – Since the first asteroid was discovered in 1801, astronomers have used widely differing approaches to learn about their nature. Nearly all asteroids are point sources that show no details through the largest telescopes, so clever methods to determine their properties have evolved. These include photometry, radar imaging, and stellar occultations. Tom’s presentation about asteroids will range from historical discoveries to modern science.
Bio: Tom Polakis has been an active amateur astronomer for 48 years, during which has seen Saturn circle the sun 1 1/2 times. His main interests involve visual observing of all astronomical phenomena, and imaging of same with equipment ranging from a phone to a backyard observatory. He has a particular interest in describing the universe as an ever-changing entity. His writing and photography have regularly appeared in magazines such as “Astornomy” and “Sky & Telescope,” and more recently has been an author or co-author in refereed astronomical publications. He has given 14 presentations to EVAC since 1994.