9:45 am Grant Clayton, Adjunct Associative Professor of Mechanical Engineering,  University of Utah, "Parallax, Planets and Precession of the Patent Office: A Patent Attorney's Personal Observations"

11:00 am Shane Larson, Assistant Professor Department of Physics, Utah State University,  "STELLAR FOSSILS : Globular clusters as probes of the galaxy"

 1:30 pm Arne Henden, Director of the AAVSO, "100 Years of Variable Star Observations"

2:45 pm Steve Edberg, Jet Propulsion Laboratory,  "Observing the Sky Near and Far: stories, suggestions and lessons"

4:00 pm Vern Raben, Longmont Astronomical Society,  "Meteor Observing and Allsky Cameras"

John Dobson will not be able to attend ALCON 2011 in person due to health concerns.  Since he won’t be able to be there in three dimensions, we’ll do the next best thing….a live internet link via Skype!!  If John’s health won’t allow the live link, we will record him answering any questions ALCON attendees may have.  We are asking ALCON attendees to submit questions for John Dobson to answer.  (You must be logged in to submit a question).  You may view the questions that have been submitted here.

On Wednesday, June 29^th through Saturday, July 2^nd, there will be public star parties in a large parking lot across the street from the Bryce Canyon National Park Visitor’s Center. Those bringing telescopes will be allowed to set up their equipment after 7:30pm. The public will be invited onto the telescope field at 9:30pm.  Please contact Don Colton if you would like to participate with at least one night of viewing.

Those planning on viewing privately at Rainbow Point will be asked to participate for at least one night at a public star party. As the astrophotography entries will be judged and certificates given at the Saturday evening Awards Banquet, Saturday night may be a good night to participate at the public star party. The skies are every bit as dark at the public events.

The National Park Service requires that those who will participate at a public star party with their own telescopes, plan to attend an orientation meeting at the Visitor’s Center prior to the evening star gazing. These orientation meetings will be each evening starting between 5:30 and 6:00pm at the Visitor’s Center. Please contact Don Colton to schedule your orientation session.