Education/Exploration/Recreation

Science from Across the Solar System and Beyond: NASA’s Deep Space Network

Disclaimer: I was unable to schedule a speaker and had lots of refusals due to
Eclipse preparation and attendance.
Speaker: Dr. Joseph Lazio (JPL) via NSN You Tube Channel
Topic: Science from Across the Solar System and Beyond: NASA’s Deep
Space Network
Abstract: Nearly every image of another planet that was taken by a NASA
spacecraft has been transmitted to us through one or more antennas of NASA’s
Deep Space Network (DSN). For almost the past 60 years, the DSN has been
guiding spacecraft to their destinations across the Solar System, sending them
commands for actions to take upon reaching their destinations, and receiving
the data back from them. Moreover, the DSN is a science instrument in its own
right. In this Webinar, I will review what the DSN is, how it enables NASA
missions throughout the Solar System and beyond, and illustrate some of the
scientific measurements that it makes on its own.
Bio: Joseph Lazio is the Interplanetary Network Directorate Scientist at the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. He received his Ph.D.
from Cornell University, was a National Research Council Research Associate at
the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and was a Radio Astronomer on the staff
of the Naval Research Laboratory, before joining JPL
Format: Video from Night Sky Network (NSN) You Tube Channel

The Moon: Recent Lunar Science and What Lies Ahead – Dr Prem

Speaker: Dr. Parvathy Prem – Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Topic: The Moon: Recent Lunar Science and What Lies Ahead

Bio: Dr. Parvathy Prem is a planetary scientist at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, MD. Parvathy was born in Kerala, India, and lived and studied in the UK, India, and Singapore before moving to the US in 2010. She holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and now spends most of her time studying the Moon using computer models. She is particularly interested in the Moon’s water cycle, and in understanding how visiting spacecraft interact with the lunar environment. Dr. Prem is also a member of the science teams for NASA’s ongoing Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and upcoming Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) missions.

Format: ZOOM Presentation

February 6th, 2024: “A Revolution in Planet Formation”

 

Speaker: Dr. Charles J Law  

Topic: A Revolution in Planet Formation: The ALMA Era and Beyond

Abstract: It has long been known that planets form out of the primordial gas and dust surrounding young stars. In particular, the outcomes of planet formation are of significant interest, not only to understand where our own Solar System came from, but to explain the vast number of diverse exoplanetary systems discovered over the past several decades. Despite this, until recently, many of the details of this process were still unknown. With the advent of a new generation of telescopes such as ALMA and JWST, groundbreaking images have now begun to reveal this process in unprecedented detail for the first time. In this talk, I will discuss our current understanding of the planet formation process, present recent observational findings, and briefly touch on what the future holds for studies of planet formation.

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

January 2nd 2024 “Astro-biology”

Speaker: Joshua Abbatiello

Topic: Astro-biology from its beginnings as a field to current.

Bio: Josh Abbatiello has a Bachelor’s of Science in geology and is currently a PhD. Candidate (geology as well) at the University of South Florida. In the broadest sense, (he says) he is a biogeochemist. He uses techniques of biology, geology, and chemistry to understand the element phosphorus. He studies how phosphorus pertains to the origin of the earliest molecules billions of years ago and its immense importance to us today. He also relates that information to determining potential for life on other planets.

Format: ZOOM Presentation (not recorded)

December 5th WVAC Holiday Party

WVAC Holiday Party

Where: Beardsley Recreation Center
               12755 W Beardsley Rd

                Sun City West, AZ 85375
               #1 Chicory Room

                Click Here for Directions

When: December 5th 2023

Time:  6:00pm – 8:00pm

Members only plus guests (Not open to the public)

Food and Refreshments:

This year we’re asking members to bring an Appetizer and/or Desserts.

Club will provide Coffee, Tea, Water, plates and plasticware.    

                                                               

Activities:

Membership RENEWAL

Election

Website Presentation

Solar Telescope Proposal  <<- Approved for purchase by the membership at large

Swap Meet/Yard Sale

                (Only Astronomy related items, No Weed-eaters)

                 Sellers please donate $5.00 to the club to sell their wares