Topic: What’s Up at Lowell (with Interferometry)?

Dr. Belle presents Research Capabilities and Future Plans for research at Lowell

 

Sam Smart, Award-winning filmmaker (Wagonmasters)

Presentation: A pilot screening of the new documentary Luminous, directed by award-winning filmmaker, chronicles the journey behind Calvin University astronomy professor Larry Molnar’s 2017 prediction of a Luminous red nova in the constellation of Cygnus. Professor Larry Molnar, working with a handful of undergraduate students remotely operating a 0.5 meter telescope in the desert of New Mexico, believes he can find the unfindable–a star that is about to explode. In Luminous, Sam Smartt follows Larry and his students for five years as they make and test their unprecedented prediction.

Dr. Molly Simon, Assistant Professor,School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University

Topic: Data At Your Fingertips: Unlocking the Potential of People Powered Research. Dr. Simon show us how this works and the benefits from citizens being involved in major science endeavors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRtSocTPcww

Dr. Travis Rector, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of Alaska Anchorage. How and Why We Make Color Composite Images at Professional Observatories: Discusses use of Imagery and Visualization of Research Data of Young Stellar Objects in Star-forming Regions and Multi-wavelength Observational Techniques. Here is a link to a video that serves as an introduction to Dr. Rector’s photography passion.

Luke Edens is a volunteer Arizona Site Steward for archaeological preservation and Vice President of the Friends of Agua Fria National Monument (FAFNM) and outreach coordinator and chairperson of their dark sky committee. He is also an active member of their cultural committee. Luke is also, the Vice President of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) Phoenix Area Chapter. Topic: Discovery of the Dark Sky. Luke shares his experience on learning the night sky, mission of the International Dark-Sky Association, awareness about light pollution, basics of astrophotography and the astronomical resources available to the public within Arizona.