EDUCATION/EXPLORATION/RECREATION

Discovery of the Dark Sky. Luke Edens WVAC Member

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.

Discovery of the Dark Sky

“The Search for Planet X”. Will Oldroyd, Astronomy and Planetary Science NAU

Will Oldroyd, Graduate Scholar in Astronomy and Planetary Science at NAU. Will’s main research focuses on searching for a mysterious undiscovered giant planet—called Planet X—hidden in the distant outer solar system. Topic: “The Search for Planet X”. Will discusses the history and current state of the hunt for a hidden world orbiting deep in the far reaches of our solar system.

Kitt Peak National Observatory and Visitor Center. Casey Good, Public Outreach Specialist at Kitt Peak, Astrophotographer.

Casey Good, Public Outreach Specialist at Kitt Peak, and reknowned astrophotographer. Topic: Kitt Peak National Observatory and Visitor Center in the 2020s. Casey discusses the major scientific endeavors of the observatory and the current and planned Visitor Center programs available to members of the public.

Kitt Peak National Observatory

You can almost touch the stars. Tom Field, Field Tested Systems , Contributing Editor, Sky & Telescope Magazine

Speaker: Tom Field, President Field Tested Systems LLC, Contributing Editor, Sky & Telescope Magazine

Topic: “You can almost touch the stars”. Astronomers have learned an enormous amount about stars by spectroscopy. This talk, with lots of interesting examples, will show you what it’s all about and help you understand how spectroscopy is used in research. Even if you are an armchair astronomer, understanding this field will enhance your understanding of the things your read and the night sky.