EDUCATION/EXPLORATION/RECREATION

The life of Edwin Hubble and his contributions to astronomy.

Speaker: Kevin Schindler Lowell Observatory
Topic: Edwin Hubble
Abstract: The presentation will cover the life of Edwin Hubble and his contributions to astronomy.
Bio: Kevin Schindler is the Public Information Officer and Historian at the Lowell
Observatory. Kevin has recently completed an Astronomer in residency at the
Grand Canyon. Kevin is also an author and has written not only about the
Lowell Observatory and it accomplishments but the history of Flagstaff and the
Grand Canyon. Kevin has presented to our club before.

New Room:  Agave (down the hall from old location)

5:30 Astro Imaging Meeting

7:00 General Meeting

Rubin’s Revolution: From Data to Discovery

March 4, 2025  

Astro Imaging speaker presentation begins at 5:30 pm

Speaker: Chris Mahar

Topic: “Smart Telescopes: Revolutionizing Amateur Astronomy”

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General Meeting speaker presentation begins at 7:00 pm

Speaker: Ardis Herrold, Senior Education Specialist, NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory

Topic: Rubin’s Revolution: From Data to Discovery

Abstract: The NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory will begin operations late this year. The observatory will employ a number of innovative technologies while conducting a ten-year survey of the southern sky, providing access to a vast data set that will enable an unprecedented number of discoveries. Learn more about this amazing new observatory and the types of science it will support.

Bio: Ardis Herrold is the Senior Education Specialist for Rubin Observatory. She oversees the Rubin Observatory Education program, which includes creation of classroom investigations using authentic data, teacher support materials, and teacher professional development. Prior to joining Rubin Observatory, Ardis taught physical, Earth, and space sciences at the high school and college level, as well as working in planetariums and observatories. Ardis is a Past President of the National Earth Science Teachers Association and twice Past President of the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association. A lifelong amateur astronomer, she has a personal observatory near Tucson, AZ, where she enjoys imaging deep sky objects, comets and supernovae.

The Molecular Universe: An Astrochemical View of the Cosmos

February Meeting

Speaker: Dr. Charles J Law, University of Virginia

Topic: The Molecular Universe: An Astrochemical View of the Cosmos

Abstract: Interstellar space was once imagined as wholly inhospitable, at least from a chemical point of view – tenuous and too cold to initiate or sustain an active molecular chemistry. However, since the discovery of the first interstellar molecule in the early 1940s, this view has been dramatically upended. With the help of increasingly sensitive radio telescopes, astronomers have now identified over 300 different molecules in incredibly diverse environments: throughout interstellar clouds, near dying stars, and around planet-forming disks. But there remain outstanding questions, including the ongoing search for complex prebiotic molecules – the building blocks of life. I will present a brief overview of the history of astrochemistry and what molecules in space can teach us about our own cosmic origins.

Bio: Charles Law is a postdoctoral researcher and NASA Sagan Fellow at the University of Virginia, having previously completed both his undergraduate studies and PhD in astrophysics at Harvard University. His research focuses on the chemistry of star and planet formation. He uses observations from radio telescopes such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/sub millimeter Array (ALMA) to characterize the chemical environments in which young planets are forming. As an AAS Astronomy Ambassador, Charles is also interested in science communication and is invested in increasing access and promoting engagement in astronomy and STEM fields.

Format: ZOOM Presentation

Dr. Charles J Law has presented to our club before.

Department of Astronomy
University of Virginia
530 McCormick Road, P.O. Box 400325
Charlottesville, VA 22904
United States of America

New Room:  Agave (down the hall from old location)
5:30 Astro Imaging Meeting
7:00 General Meeting

V.M. Slipher and his contributions to astronomy.

Speaker: Kevin Schindler Lowell Observatory’s

Topic: V.M. Slipher

Abstract: Vesto Melvin Slipher was an American astronomer who performed the
first measurements of radial velocities for galaxies. He was the first to discover
that distant galaxies are redshifted , thus providing the first empirical basis for the
expansion of the universe. He was also the first to relate these redshifts to
velocity . He spent the next 53 years of his life working at Lowell Observatory as
an assistant and then the director of the observatory until his retirement in 1954.
Slipher lived until age 93 and died in Flagstaff in 1969. He is buried at Citizens
Cemetery in Flagstaff.

Bio: Kevin Schindler is the Public Information Officer and Historian at the Lowell
Observatory. Kevin has recently completed an Astronomer in residency at the
Grand Canyon. Kevin is also an author and has written not only about the
Lowell Observatory and it accopmlishments but the history of Flagstaff and the
Grand Canyon. Kevin has presented to our club before.

New Room:  Agave (down the hall from old location)

5:30 Astro Imaging Meeting

7:00 General Meeting

Selling mirror less Nikon Z6, one of the best cameras for night photography

Selling the Nikon Z6 full frame mirror-less camera body which I originally bought for Milky way and astrophotogrpahy.

It was the best camera of 2019-2020; and is still great for night photography and videography.

My camera is in excellent condition with a shutter count of only 13600 (the camera is rated at 200,00 life time shutter count). It comes with battery, charger, and screen protectors installed.

I am selling the camera with Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 S lens that i bought six months ago. The lens comes with a 62mm UV filter.

I have discovered that prime lens does not suit my shooting style. The lens is in mint condition.

I will sell the lens and the camera body together for $1050. Individually, the camera goes for $800 and the lens for $375.

Let me know if you are interested.

Contact Amin at aminpatani@gmail.com