Dr. David DeVorkin – Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, Senior Curator of history of astronomy and the space sciences
Thursday August 11th – 9:30 am
Presentation in Room CC1
“Bringing Astronomy to the Nation’s Mall”
Summary
Astronomy has been a visible presence on and near the Nation’s Mall since the mid-19th Century. First there was Georgetown University’s Observatory, then the Naval Observatory, and then the Smithsonian’s Astrophysical Observatory by the 1890s. In the Twentieth Century, astronomy became one focus for the National Academy of Sciences, and by the end of the century, astronomy was a visible subject at two and sometimes three of the Smithsonian’s major museums. By then it was also actively supported by numerous Washington-based government and military agencies. Here we focus attention on the public face of astronomy, what people could actually see and interact with, on the National Mall.
Biography
David DeVorkin is senior curator, history of astronomy and the space sciences at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. He has been curator since January 1981. From Fall 1983 through 1986 he was acting chair and then chair of the Space Science and Exploration Department. From 1987 through June 1991 he held the concurrent position of chair of the Advisory Committee to the Smithsonian Videohistory Program, and spent the summer and fall of 1991 as a visiting member at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
DeVorkin’s major research interests are in the origins and development of modern astrophysics during the 20th Century; and the origins of the space sciences. He specializes as well in the history of space astronomy and in the government and military patronage of science in the post-WWII era. He has published a major biography of the Princeton astronomer Henry Norris Russell that has been critically acclaimed, and has curated two major exhibitions at the NASM as well as several smaller ones. He is responsible for collecting astronomical, geophysical and related instrumentation for the Smithsonian, concentrating on the 20th Century.
DeVorkin has authored well over one hundred scholarly papers and has authored, edited or compiled over a dozen monographs in the history of, and education in, astronomy and the space sciences. Before coming to the Smithsonian in late 1980 he taught astronomy and the earth sciences at Central Connecticut State College in the 1970s and in 1977 became a research associate at the American Institute of Physics Center for History of Physics and Niels Bohr Library, where he learned the art of oral history under Spencer Weart and Joan Warnow and explored archival issues relating to the preservation of the historical records of the American astronomical community. He holds the PhD in the history of astronomy from the University of Leicester (1978); a Master of Philosophy in Astronomy from Yale (1970); an MS in Astronomy from San Diego State College (1968) and a BS in Astronomy/Physics from UCLA (1966).
Christi Whitworth – Director of Learning Experiences
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, PARI
Thursday August 11th – 10:45 am and 2:00pm
Hands On presentation in Room CC3
“Eclipses and Seasons: Activities and Outreach”
Summary
The session explores; Why are there Seasons and Eclipses? Earth’s motion around the Sun will allow parts of the United States to experience a total solar eclipse in 2017. This motion also regulates many systems on Earth including seasons. Learn how to engage families in explaining how seasons occur on Earth. Learn how to describe parts of an eclipse to families, even if they are experiencing partiality or observing the eclipse virtually.
Biography
Christi Whitworth is Director of Learning Experiences at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, located in Rosman, North Carolina. She attended Tennessee Technological University and holds degrees in Elementary Education and Curriculum and Instruction. She worked with gifted students and science education in Tennessee public schools before moving into informal education in 2005 while living in Texas. She has worked as a science educator and Education Director at PARI since 2006.
At PARI, she maintains, manages and creates programming for PARI’s StarLab portable planetarium, science education, and outreach programs including home school programs, computer science and citizen science programming. She serves as the collaborative lead for the North Carolina Girls STEM Collaborative in affiliation with the National Girls Collaborative Project. The collaborative work to connect programs and resources across the state of North Carolina in the effort to encourage, mentor and promote organizations that serve girls in STEM fields and builds strong connections between the girls and future careers.
Dr. Geneviève de Messières, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum
Thursday August 11th – 10:45 am
Presentation in Room CC1
“Young Children At Your Telescope”
Summary
We’ve all seen it. The dripping ice cream cone approaching your mount. Curious fingers reaching for your corrector plate. The eyepiece planted squarely between the eyes. You want to invite young children to experience the wonders of the Universe with your telescope, but how can you make it a great experience for them, and a safe experience for your telescope? Dr. de Messières will share with you the expertise of the National Air and Space Museum’s Early Childhood Education team to understand how early learners’ brains are working. We will discuss effective strategies for engaging them in astronomy and how to help them practice the skill of observing with a telescope. We will share ideas for child-proofing your telescope.
Biography
Dr. Geneviève de Messières manages the astronomy education program at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. The keystone of the program is the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory on the National Mall. Her enthusiastic team of staff, student employees, and dozens of volunteers regularly invite the public to become astronomers by using telescopes and engaging with hands-on astronomy activities. They also lead lectures in the Albert Einstein Planetarium, teacher workshops, and school field trips. After studying astrophysics at Swarthmore College, Dr. de Messières earned her PhD in astronomy at the University of Virginia.
Kevin Quin, Northern Virginia Astronomy Club
Thursday August 11th – 11:55 am
Presentation in Room CC1
“Astrophotography without superpowers!”
Summary
You see the pictures every day on APOD and Cloudy Nights, and every month in the pages of Sky & Telescope and Astronomy: the blazing pinwheels of distant spiral galaxies, the swirls of the Great Red Spot, the vast star clouds of Cygnus. They look like they were taken from orbit, or at the very least from million dollar observatories perched on remote mountain tops. But do you really need a giant scope, a mega-dollar camera, and a mount as sturdy as a skyscraper to take a good astrophoto? In short, do you need superpowers? Yes, definitely. No, wait, you don’t! Kevin is here to show you that mere mortals can take great images. If he can do it, anyone can.
Biography
Kevin Quin became an astrophotographer way back in the 20th century, when they recorded on an obscure medium called “film.” In 2003, when his neighbor’s trees all disappeared in a mysterious hurricanes-and-chainsaws episode, he started experimenting with digital imaging from his front yard. He warns everyone that he doesn’t really know what he’s doing, yet he still gets some very pretty pictures. And what one fool can do, another can.
Gregg Harry , American University – LIGO Program
Thursday August 11th – 2:00 pm
Presentation in Room CC1
“Gravitational Wave Astronomy”
Summary
I will talk about the recent detection of gravitational waves from binary black holes by the LIGO detectors and the resulting inauguration of the field of gravitational wave astronomy. This will include a discussion of what this detection teaches us about Einstein’s theory of gravity, the origins and lifecycles of black holes, and what other sources of gravitational waves may be detectable by the current generation of detectors. I will then explain about the future of gravitational wave astronomy, including possible sources from supernova, pulsars, neutron stars, and the Big Bang as well as new detectors, both improvements to LIGO and other designs.
Biography
Gregg Harry was an undergraduate student at the California Institute of Technology where he first became interested in gravitational wave astronomy during a class taught by Kip Thorne. He got his PhD from the University of Maryland, College Park as one of the last researchers working on the resonant bar gravitational wave detectors pioneered by Joseph Weber. He joined the LIGO Collaboration in 1998 at Syracuse University where he began to specialize in reducing the thermal vibrations from the optics that limit the ultimate astronomical sensitivity achievable by LIGO. He spent over ten years working for the LIGO Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before becoming a professor of physics at American University in 2011. At American, Greg runs a lab researching improvements to the LIGO optics and also hosts the Optics Olympiad that introduces middle school students in Washington, D. C. to LIGO science.
Michael E. Summers, George Mason University
Thursday, August 11th – 3:15 PM
Presentation in Room CC1
“The New Horizons Mission to Pluto and Charon”
Summary
In July of 2015 the whole world watched as the New Horizons probe entered the Pluto system. This astonishing scientific achievement is the fastest space mission ever launched, traveled the farthest to reach its primary science target and is the first mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.
Professor Summers will give an update on the on-going scientific investigations of the data from the flyby that is continuing to be down-linked from the spacecraft. He will show the latest images and discuss how what we’ve learned has revolutionized our understanding of these bodies and their histories.
Biography
Michael E. Summers is Professor of Planetary Sciences and Astronomy, and former Director of the School of Physics, Astronomy and Computational Sciences (SPACS) in the College of Science. He has an undergraduate B.S. from Murray State University in Physics, Mathematics, and Russian, a M.S. in Space Physics from U.T. Dallas, and a Ph.D. in Planetary Science and Astronomy from the California Institute of Technology.
Prof. Summers specializes in the study of the origin and evolution of planetary atmospheres and has carried out research on the atmospheres of Earth, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Io, Titan, Triton, Uranus, Pluto and its moon Charon, as well as recently discovered extra-solar planets. He has worked with numerous NASA missions as Co-Investigator as well as working with the interpretation of spacecraft observations, and on several NASA space mission-planning teams. He has published more than 80 peer-reviewed articles and numerous peer-reviewed proceedings, and has given over 300 public talks on astronomy, science and related topics. He has won four NASA special recognition awards for his work as Co-Investigator on NASA space missions, and the COS Celebration of Scholarship Award from George Mason University in 2008. He is currently a member of the Provost’s Mason Strategic Planning committee.
Dr. Thomas Jones*
Friday, August 12th – 9:00 AM
Presentation in Room CC1
“Ask the Astronaut: A Galaxy of Astonishing Answers to Your Questions on Spaceflight”
Summary
Have you ever wondered what space is really like? Tom Jones, veteran NASA astronaut who completed four space shuttle missions and three spacewalks, will tell you all about it! Jones will choose a selection of his favorite questions from his new book Ask the Astronaut, sprinkle in his most exciting space adventures, take a peek into the future of human exploration, and invite a lengthy conversation with the audience’s favorite questions playing a starring role!
Biography
Tom Jones is a planetary scientist, space consultant, professional speaker, and veteran astronaut who completed four space shuttle missions and three spacewalks. Jones has authored six books, including Sky Walking: An Astronaut’s Memoir, and he writes for aerospace magazines such as Air & Space Smithsonian, Aerospace America, Popular Mechanics, and The Planetary Report. A senior research scientist for IHMC, he appears regularly on television news as an expert commentator for space exploration and science stories.
* Note – Dr. Jones will be doing a book signing after his talk. Books will be available for purchase
Christi Whitworth – Director of Learning Experiences
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, PARI
Friday, August 12th – 10:15 am and 2:00pm
Hands On presentation in Room CC3
“Energy from the Sun for Families”
Summary
Learn how to explore Energy from the Sun and help explain seasons as observed here on Earth using the angle of the Sun in the sky as well as modeling Earth’s motion around the Sun. We will explore the kinds of energy coming from the Sun and how the Earth’s magnetic field helps protect. The amount of energy from the Sun changes as the Earth moves around the Sun and this can be measured here on Earth by the angle of the Sun in the Sky to the number of hours a locations receives daylight each day of the year. Several models can help families to better understand why seasonal change is an effect of the Sun’s energy.
Biography
Christi Whitworth is Director of Learning Experiences at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, located in Rosman, North Carolina. She attended Tennessee Technological University and holds degrees in Elementary Education and Curriculum and Instruction. She worked with gifted students and science education in Tennessee public schools before moving into informal education in 2005 while living in Texas. She has worked as a science educator and Education Director at PARI since 2006.
At PARI, she maintains, manages and creates programming for PARI’s StarLab portable planetarium, science education, and outreach programs including home school programs, computer science and citizen science programming. She serves as the collaborative lead for the North Carolina Girls STEM Collaborative in affiliation with the National Girls Collaborative Project. The collaborative work to connect programs and resources across the state of North Carolina in the effort to encourage, mentor and promote organizations that serve girls in STEM fields and builds strong connections between the girls and future careers.
Dr. Harold Geller, Associate Professor and Observatory Director at George Mason University
Friday, August 12th – 10:15 AM
Presentation in Room CC1
“Forty Years ago we touched the surface of Mars”
Summary
On the 20th day of August, 1975, the Viking 1 spacecraft was launched into space towards Mars. On the 19th day of June, 1976, the Viking 1 spacecraft reached the planet Mars. The Viking 1 Lander was to set down on the surface of Mars for the bicentennial celebration in the USA. Unfortunately, due to the ruggedness of the original chosen landing site, the Viking 1 Lander did not land on the surface of Mars until July 20th, which marked the 7th anniversary since the landing on the Moon. The robotic arm of the Viking 1 Lander malfunctioned, and, in spite of an onboard computer with only 64K of RAM, the computer was re-programmed to extend the robotic arm so that on the 28th of July, 1976, we reached out and touched the surface of Mars. I will discuss the Viking mission to Mars and the incredible part it was to play in my own life on Earth.
Biography
Dr. Harold A. Geller is Observatory Director and Associate Professor at George Mason University (GMU). He served as co-Investigator for the Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and Achievement (VISTA), the largest educational grant ever awarded GMU, from 2011 through 2015. Since 2012 he has served as a Solar System Ambassador for the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In 2009 and 2010 he shared in six Telly Awards for online educational videos in association with Astrocast.TV. In 2008 he received the GMU Faculty Member of the Year Award. From 2006 to 2008 he served as the Associate Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at GMU. Other past achievements include President of the Potomac Geophysical Society; tour guide and lecturer with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; producer of educational multimedia CD-ROMs; faculty at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC); doctoral fellow of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV); and, lecturer/operator at the Einstein Planetarium in the National Air and Space Museum. He is author of books, contributed to edited volumes, and has published over 80 papers in education, astrobiology, astrophysics, and biochemistry. Dr. Geller has been interviewed or quoted in the USA Today, Washington Post, Huffington Post, The Arts and Entertainment Magazine, Astrocast TV, WTOP News Radio, News Channel 8, and The Skeptic.
Ciprian “Chip” Sufitchi
Friday August 12th – 2016 11:20 am
Hands On presentation in Room CC3
“Radio Meteor Echoes”
Summary
When a meteor enters the Earth’s upper atmosphere it excites the air molecules, producing a streak of light and leaving a trail of ionization (an elongated paraboloid) behind it tens of kilometers long. This ionized trail may persist for less than 1 second up to several minutes, occasionally. Occurring at heights of about 85 to 105 km (50-65 miles), this trail is capable of reflecting radio waves from transmitters located on the ground, similar to light reflecting from a mirrored surface. Meteor radio wave reflections are also called meteor echoes, or pings. With inexpensive equipment and a simple configuration anyone could make meteor detections in the backyard. I will demonstrate how meteor radio echoes could be detected in Washington DC metro area with a simple antenna and a software defined radio, taking advantage of a powerful analog TV signal transmitted by a tower located in Canada.
Biography
Ciprian “Chip” Sufitchi is Principal Software Developer at ManTech International. Holding a major in telecommunication engineering and a master in business administration, Mr. Sufitchi has been involved in large scale military communication projects, scientific research, software and web development. His main after-hours interests are amateur radio, astronomy, radio astronomy and web programming. He is running one of the most known satellite tracking web sites (n2yo.com), as well as other popular sites, such as livemeteors.com, cosmosplus.com, magnetic-declination.com.
Dr. George Doschek, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
Friday, August 12th – 11:30 AM
Presentation in Room CC1
“Our Sun and Its Mysterious Atmosphere”
Summary
The origin of the solar chromosphere, corona, and the production of solar flares and coronal mass ejections that occur within these regions are exciting unsolved problems of solar physics. There are many theories and a plethora of space observations that observe the high energy solar atmosphere in ultraviolet, extreme-ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma ray wavelengths. These observations have given us stunning views of the Sun that are not attainable from the Earth’s surface. I will discuss some of the most spectacular results from recent spacecraft such as the Solar Dynamics Observatory, STEREO, Hinode, RHESSI, and SOHO and what their data are telling us about the fundamental physics that drives the solar atmosphere and its effects on the Earth.
Biography
Dr. George Doschek is a Research Physicist in the Solar & Heliospheric Physics Branch in the Space Science Division of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). Dr. Doschek’s research areas are solar physics, atomic physics, and solar physics spectroscopic space instrumentation. He has analyzed data from many solar space missions and is a key player in the design and construction of new solar X-ray and extreme-ultraviolet solar space experiments. He is the Principal Investigator to NASA for the international Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) on the Hinode spacecraft and was the NRL Principal Investigator for the international X-ray Bragg crystal spectrometers on the Yohkoh spacecraft.
Matt Will – ALPO
Friday, August 12th – 2:00 PM
Presentation in Room CC1
“The ALPO: It’s Origin, Purpose and Progress”
Summary
This presentation will examine the origins for the formation of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers – ALPO – and comparing its success to other national organizations from earlier eras that dissolved not long after their formation. Key elements supporting the emergence of the ALPO are illustrated with examples.
Biography
Matthew Will joined the ALPO in 1973. From 1994 through 2001, Mr. Will helped to co-coordinate the ALPO Lunar and Planetary Training Program with Tim Robertson, its current coordinator. Matt became an ALPO Board member in 1998. In 2001, Matt began serving as the ALPO’s membership secretary and its treasurer. In 2004, Matt assumed further responsibilities as the ALPO’s corporation secretary. Through 43 years of membership in the ALPO, Matt has enjoyed making visual/drawings of Mars, Saturn, the Moon, and other Solar System bodies and phenomena. Interest and encouragement from a supportive ALPO staff for his observations instilled a sense of pride for the people of the ALPO and their programs, for which Matt now in turn contributes his services as an officer in the ALPO, to preserve and promote the organization.
Dr. Mike Reynolds – ALPO
Friday, August 12th – 2:30 PM
Presentation in Room CC1
“Rocks from Space”
Summary
This presentation will overview and introduce the field of meteoritics, with a focus on meteorites and meteorite cratering. In his fast-paced presentation, Reynolds will discuss how to distinguish a meteorite from meteorwrong, the general classification of meteorites, and show a variety of meteorites; available to handle after the talk. Some of the questions often asked will be covered, such as the chemistry of meteorites, preparation of samples, and cutting to expose the meteorite’s internal matrix. Some of the recent “hot” topics in meteoritics will also be explored, such as Martian and Lunar meteorites, and the asteroid Vesta – Bilanga meteorite fall confirmed connection. Updates on recent falls and recoveries, such as the 2012 Chelyabink fall and new meteorites found in Africa and Antarctica, will also be highlighted.
Finally, how does one know if a meteorite they are purchasing is indeed a meteorite, and not some gravel picked up along the road? How are meteorites priced; why do some go for $1,000 a gram and others $1 a gram?
Biography
Dr. Mike Reynolds has forty years in astronomy and space sciences in the gamut of a high school and university instructor, planetarium and museum director, researcher, and college administrator. He has received numerous recognitions for his work, including the 1986 Florida State Teacher of the Year, NASA Teacher-in-Space National Finalist, and the G. Bruce Blair Medal in Astronomy. Reynolds has written a number of astronomy books and articles, including as an Astronomy magazine contributing editor. Reynolds has appeared on several Discovery Channel and National Geographic programs, such as Auction Kings.
Reynolds primary astronomical interests are as a solar system astronomer. His studies and research include craters and cratering mechanisms, meteorites, and solar eclipses. He has successfully observed 18 total solar eclipse, the first of which was March 7, 1970.
Reynolds is a long-time member of the ALPO and serves on the ALPO Board of Directors. He is the Eclipse Coordinator, and currently is the Executive Director of the ALPO.
Reynolds is a Professor of Astronomy at Florida State College and the Executive Director Emeritus of the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, California.
Greg Redfern – NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador
Friday, August 12th – 3:15 PM
Presentation in Room CC1
“The Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater – A Cosmic Detective Story”
Summary
The largest known impact crater in the U.S. is under the Chesapeake Bay at Cape Charles, VA; hear the inside story. Geological samples from within the crater will be available for viewing.
Biography
Greg Redfern, Twitter “@SkyGuyinVA”, has been an adjunct professor/instructor of astronomy for five different colleges since 1984. As a NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador since 2003, he has shared NASA’s missions to the solar system with many audiences in person as well as on Fox 5 WTTG TV, WTOP and WBAL Radio in the Washington D.C. media market. Greg’s daily astronomy blog, “What’s Up?: The Space Place.com” has had over 2.5 million views from around the world.
As a writer Greg has authored numerous articles for “Sky and Telescope Magazine”, “Meteorite Magazine”, “Skywatch Magazine” and a number of newspapers including Gannet and USA Today.
Greg has been observing and photographing the sky for over four decades and collecting meteorites for years. He’s used telescopes of all kinds and visited observatories, NASA facilities, and geological sites.
Ciprian “Chip” Sufitchi
Saturday August 13th – 11:15 am
Hands On presentation in Room CC3
“Solar Flare Detections”
Summary
When a solar flare occurs on the Sun, a blast of intense ultraviolet and X-ray radiation hits the dayside of the Earth after a propagation time of about 8 minutes. This high energy radiation is absorbed by atmospheric particles, raising them to excited states and knocking electrons free in the process of photoionization. The low altitude ionospheric layers (D region and E region) immediately increase in density over the entire dayside. The ionospheric disturbance enhances VLF radio propagation. Scientists on the ground can use this enhancement to detect solar flares; by monitoring the signal strength of a distant VLF transmitter, sudden ionospheric disturbances (SIDs) are recorded and indicate when solar flares have taken place. There are a couple of megawatt VLF transmitters conveniently located on continental USA that can be continuously monitored with a simple loop antenna, a low noise amplifier, a sound card, and a standard computer. I will make a practical demonstration receiving a signal transmitted from Cutler ME by US Navy on the frequency of 24.0 kHz and I will present recent detections of C-class solar flares performed with this simple equipment.
Biography
Ciprian “Chip” Sufitchi is Principal Software Developer at ManTech International. Holding a major in telecommunication engineering and a master in business administration, Mr. Sufitchi has been involved in large scale military communication projects, scientific research, software and web development. His main after-hours interests are amateur radio, astronomy, radio astronomy and web programming. He is running one of the most known satellite tracking web sites (n2yo.com), as well as other popular sites, such as livemeteors.com, cosmosplus.com, magnetic-declination.com.
Dr. Julius Benton – ALPO
Saturday, August 13th – 11:25 AM
Presentation in Room CC1
“Observing Venus with the ALPO”
Summary
This presentation summarizes recent results of systematic visual observations and digital imaging of Venus by the ALPO Venus Section. Studies of the long-established categories of atmospheric features of Venus, including cusps, cusp-caps, and cusp-bands, detected at visual wavelengths and with color filters, are reviewed. Digital images at visual, ultraviolet (UV), and infrared (IR) wavelengths during several recent apparitions are included. Discussed are terminator irregularities and the Schröter phase phenomenon. Continuing efforts to monitor the dark hemisphere of Venus for the enigmatic Ashen Light are noted, including results obtained by imaging the dark side of Venus in the near-IR during crescentic phases. Professional-amateur (pro-am) efforts are highlighted such as the Venus Express (VEX) Mission that monitored Venus at various wavelengths from 2006 through 2015. Announced also are tentative plans for a ALPO pro-am cooperative with Japan’s (JAXA) Akatsuki mission that starts full-scale observations in April 2016.
Biography
Julius became interested in astronomy at the age of 11 when he received his first telescope, a Unitron 4-inch refractor. After those early inquisitive years of exploring the night sky, Julius eventually started specializing in lunar and planetary observing. His avid interests in observing the solar system led him to join the A.L.P.O. in 1967. He was appointed Coordinator of the Venus and Saturn Sections in 1971 and has continued managing those two Sections for nearly 45 years. Julius is a long-time member of the A.L.P.O. Board of Directors and has served a number of terms as Executive Director of the organization. For many years his articles have appeared in Sky and Telescope, Astronomy, Journal of the British Astronomical Association, Journal of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, Star and Sky, and elsewhere. He has been a guest speaker at local and international astronomical groups on many occasions, and his book, Saturn and How to Observe It, was published in late 2005 with a 2nd edition due for release in 2017. Julius holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in physics and the environmental sciences and is a retired U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer. His professional background includes teaching at the collegiate level as a full-time and adjunct professor, and he retired from General Dynamics after 27 years culminating a longtime senior leadership role in advanced Avionics and Enhanced Vision Systems product development in the aerospace industry. Although retired, Julius continues as a Consultant on leading edge Synthetic Vision and Avionics development
Vincent Giovannone – ALPO
Saturday, August 13th – 11:55 AM
Presentation in Room CC1
“30 years of Perseids Meteor Observing”
Summary
First recorded in 36 A.D. by the Chinese, the year 1835 identified the shower as emanating from the constellation Perseus, and in 1866 and after the perihelion passage of Swift-Tuttle in 1862 it was discovered that this shower was related to a comet. A very popular meteor shower, to both experienced and novice observers, probably due to its time of year, being towards the end of summer.
The objective of this study is to examine my 30 years of observing this meteor shower from the Latham, NY area starting with non-recorded observations in 1984, by 1986 taking the next step in recording observations for eventual submittal to the IMO and ALPO in 1991, the techniques learned and the guides used to improve meteor observational techniques.
Biography
A freelance amateur astronomer who resides in the Albany County area of Latham, NY, Vincent Giovannone has been involved in amateur astronomy since high school; the backyard serves as his observation post for looking at the biggest lab one could have: “The Sky.” Over the years belonged to a number of amateur astronomy groups including the AMS, IMO, and AAVSO but still holds membership with the ALPO. He is a professional in Public Service, Firefighter/EMT and a NYS USAR operator. Educational background from Math/Science to Fire Protection Technology and Engineering. Holds a Level 2 High Power Rocketry certificate with both Tripoli and National Association of Rocketry. Last but not least Vincent loves to experiment for the science of it in understanding the world around and above us.
Vivian White, Night Sky Network
Saturday August 13th – 2016 2:00 pm
Presentation in Room CC3
“Left in the Light: Preparing your community for viewing a partial eclipse in 2017”
Summary
Most astronomy enthusiasts will be on the path of totality for the Great American Eclipse next year, leaving their communities without the expertise they regularly count on. Find out how the NASA Night Sky Network is preparing more than 450 astronomy clubs across the country to get their communities engaged before the event.
Biography
Vivian White (vwhite@astrosociety.org) has been an astronomy educator with the Astronomical Society of the Pacific for the last decade. She uses her degree in physics, a Dobsonian telescope, and a fascination with human learning to inspire people to look up in wonder at the riches of the night sky. She currently designs activities for amateur astronomers engaged in public outreach through the NASA Night Sky Network, a coalition of over 470 astronomy clubs across the US. Her first book The Total Skywatchers Manual was released in September.
Dr. John Westfall– ALPO
Saturday, August 13th – 2:00 PM
Presentation in Room CC1
“The Aristarchos Experiment”
Summary
In the third century BCE Aristarchos of Samos made the first estimate of the distance from the Earth to the Sun, by means of triangulating the distance from observation of the quarter moon. The question is — was this simply a thought experiment, or did Aristarchos actually observe the lunar half-phase and simultaneously measure the elongation of the Moon from the Sun? If the latter, how were those measurements made and what was their accuracy? The experiment being coordinated by the speaker and two colleagues, William Sheehan and Alberto Gomez, is to determine whether such observations can be duplicated using only techniques and materials that were available in Aristarchos’ time. We invite observers to help us test the most critical measurement, estimating just when the Moon appears to be at exactly half-phase, and can provide a schedule of dates over 2016-2017 when such estimates can be made.
Biography
An Emeritus Professor of Geography at San Francisco State University, Dr. John Westfall has published Atlas of the Lunar Terminator, and with William Sheehan, Transits of Venus and Celestial Shadows: Eclipses, Transits, and Occultations, the last being placed on the Choice Outstanding Academic Title list for 2015. He was Executive Director of the ALPO 1985-95, and continues as a board member while coordinating ALPO programs involving transits of Mercury and Venus and timing eclipses of Jupiter’s Galilean satellites. He was a recipient of the ALPO Walter Haas and Peggy Haas awards, while recently minor planet (28602) Westfall was named for him.
Dr. Mike Reynolds – ALPO
Saturday, August 13th – 2:30 PM
Presentation in Room CC1
“46 Years of Total Solar Eclipse Chasing”
Summary
Why do people become addicted to chasing total solar eclipses? What is there about the Sun disappearing in splendid fashion that draws individuals from all parts of the Earth to one place at a specific date and time? And at any cost or possible bodily danger…
If you have spent any time under the shadow of a total solar eclipse, you have your own answers to the above questions. Especially if it was clear. Partial solar eclipses do not count here. Neither do total lunar eclipse, even though there are spectacular in their own way. Some state total solar eclipses are the most-spectacular astronomical event or object they ever observed; others note it is almost like a religious experience. And historically, total solar eclipses were a religious experience for some, a bad omen to others.
What makes a total solar eclipse so spectacular? Ask ten people, and you will get ten different answers. Some will say it’s the meteorological changes; others the approaching lunar shadow that foretells totality. Planets and stars appearing in what was broad daylight. Those mysterious shadow bands. The sunrise-sunset colors around the horizon, the last vestiges of the Sun in the form of the Diamond ring and then Baily’s Beads. The Sun’s magnificent crown: the corona. Dancing prominences around the Sun’s edge.
How does one assure a successful eclipse viewing? Umbraphiles – as total solar eclipse chasers are often called – talk about serious advance planning. Not only how you are going to observe the eclipse, but where, alternate plans, and even dividing up those precious moments under the shadow to observe different phenomena.
Dr. Mike Reynolds will hit highlights of his 18 successful total solar eclipses over a 46 year period, from planning to observing and imaging. What makes chasing eclipses so addictive? And why are we in the Continental United States in for such a treat on August 21, 2017?
Biography
Dr. Mike Reynolds has forty years in astronomy and space sciences in the gamut of a high school and university instructor, planetarium and museum director, researcher, and college administrator. He has received numerous recognitions for his work, including the 1986 Florida State Teacher of the Year, NASA Teacher-in-Space National Finalist, and the G. Bruce Blair Medal in Astronomy. Reynolds has written a number of astronomy books and articles, including as an Astronomy magazine contributing editor. Reynolds has appeared on several Discovery Channel and National Geographic programs, such as Auction Kings.
Reynolds primary astronomical interests are as a solar system astronomer. His studies and research include craters and cratering mechanisms, meteorites, and solar eclipses. He has successfully observed 18 total solar eclipse, the first of which was March 7, 1970.
Reynolds is a long-time member of the ALPO and serves on the ALPO Board of Directors. He is the Eclipse Coordinator, and currently is the Executive Director of the ALPO.
Reynolds is a Professor of Astronomy at Florida State College and the Executive Director Emeritus of the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, California.
Dr. Stella Kafka, Director American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)
Saturday, August 13th – 3:15 PM
Presentation in Room CC1
“Variable Stars and Their Stories”
Summary
The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) is a non-profit worldwide scientific and educational organization of amateur and professional astronomers who are interested in stars that change in brightness—variable stars. Our mission is to enable anyone, anywhere, to participate in scientific discovery through variable star astronomy. Variable stars have always been the most intriguing (and fun) targets for observers, professional and amateur alike. Stellar variability, both intrinsic and extrinsic, is used to discover exoplanets, provide unique insights in critical stages of stellar evolution, help determine distances to nearby galaxies and add to our understanding of explosion physics and chemical enrichment of the universe. I will introduce some of the most common aspects of stellar variability and their significance in astrophysics and will discuss how you can participate in cutting-edge science observational astronomy projects and be part of the Discovery process.
Biography
Dr. Stella Kafka, is the Director of the AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers). Before her tenure at the AAVSO, Dr Kafka held positions at CTIO, Spitzer Science center/Caltech, Carnegie Institution of Washington/DTM and AIP Publishing. The AAVSO is an international non-profit organization of variable star observers whose mission is to enable anyone, anywhere, to participate in scientific discovery through variable star astronomy.
Portrait, Charles F. Bolden, Jr., Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Washington, DC, July 29, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
General Charles F. Bolden, Jr., NASA Administrator
Saturday, August 13th – 7:00pm, Awards Banquet Keynote Speaker
Presentation in Room CC1
The Administrator will speak on NASA’s current programs and plans for the future.
Biography
Maj. Gen. Charles Frank Bolden, Jr., (USMC-Ret.) was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 12th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He began his duties as head of the agency on July 17, 2009. As Administrator, Bolden leads a nationwide NASA team to advance the missions and goals of the U.S. space program.
At NASA, Bolden has overseen the safe transition from 30 years of space shuttle missions to a new era of exploration focused on full utilization of the International Space Station and space and aeronautics technology development. He has led the agency in developing a Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will carry astronauts to deep space destinations, such as an asteroid and Mars. He also established a new Space Technology Mission Directorate to develop cutting-edge technologies for the missions of tomorrow. During Bolden’s tenure, the agency’s support of commercial space transportation systems for reaching low-Earth orbit have enabled successful commercial cargo resupply of the space station and significant progress toward returning the capability for American companies to launch astronauts from American soil by 2017. Bolden has also supported NASA’s contributions toward development of developing cleaner, faster, and quieter airplanes. The agency’s dynamic science activities under Bolden include an unprecedented landing on Mars with the Curiosity rover, launch of a spacecraft to Jupiter, enhancing the nation’s fleet of Earth-observing satellites, and continued progress toward the 2018 launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope.
Bolden’s 34-year career with the Marine Corps also included 14 years as a member of NASA’s Astronaut Office. After joining the office in 1980, he traveled to orbit four times aboard the space shuttle between 1986 and 1994, commanding two of the missions and piloting two others. His flights included deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope and the first joint U.S.-Russian shuttle mission, which featured a cosmonaut as a member of his crew.
Prior to his nomination as NASA administrator, Bolden was Chief Executive Officer of JACKandPANTHER LLC, a small business enterprise providing leadership, military, and aerospace consulting, as well as motivational speaking.
Born Aug. 19, 1946, in Columbia, S.C., Bolden graduated from C. A. Johnson High School in 1964 and received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical science in 1968 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. After completing flight training in 1970, he became a Naval Aviator. Bolden flew more than 100 combat missions in North and South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, while stationed in Namphong, Thailand between 1972 – 1973.
Bolden earned a Master of Science degree in systems management from the University of Southern California in 1977. In 1978, he was assigned to the Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Md., and completed his training in 1979. While working at the Naval Air Test Center’s Systems Engineering and Strike Aircraft Test Directorates, he tested a variety of ground attack aircraft until his selection as an astronaut candidate in 1980.
Bolden’s NASA astronaut career included technical assignments as the Astronaut Office Safety Officer; Technical Assistant to the Director of Flight Crew Operations; Special Assistant to the Director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston; Chief of the Safety Division at Johnson (where he oversaw efforts to return the shuttle to flight safely after the 1986 Challenger accident); lead astronaut for vehicle test and checkout at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida; and Assistant Deputy Administrator at NASA Headquarters. After his final shuttle flight in 1994, he left NASA and returned to active duty with Marine Corps operating forces as the Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.
In 1997, Bolden was assigned as the Deputy Commanding General of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in the Pacific. During the first half of 1998, he served as Commanding General of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Forward in support of Operation Desert Thunder in Kuwait. He was promoted to his final rank of major general in July 1998 and named Deputy Commander of U.S. forces in Japan. He later served as the Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, Calif., from 2000 – 2002. He retired from the Marine Corps in 2003. Bolden’s many military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in May 2006.
