Dudley Observations

Volume 8, No1 March 2009

Hi Everybody,

I hope you enjoy our first online issue of Dudley Observations. It will bring up-to-date information in living color, and won't contribute to that infernal stack of papers you vowed you'd organize this year!

Clear Skies,

Janie Schwab
Executive Director

HOW TO USE YOUR TELESCOPE 

March 7, 2009 4 - 6pm

Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205

Do y ou own a telescope?
Do you know how to use it?
Would you like some help?

COST $20.00 per telescope
(free to members of Dudley and Friends of Pine Bush) Join Now!
RSVP Call Dudley Observatory at 382-7583 to reserve your spot. Please tell us the make & model of your telescope.

WORKSHOP INCLUDES
All the essentials to get you started using your telescope to observe
the wonders of the universe: Learn to balance and collimate your
telescope, align and use the finder scope, use star maps, and more...

Directions

DUDLEY  WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT

Vincent Amodeo, Albany High School
Science Teacher, was elected to the position of President of the Dudley Board.  Vince has been a Trustee for two years and has been an active member of the Education Committee and, in addition, chairs the Curriculum Committee. 

Newly Elected Officers:
Alan French, an active member of the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers was re-elected to the position of Vice President.  Michael Kornstein, an attorney with Cooper Erving & Savage, was elected to the position of Secretary. Vincent Maine, Vice President with Key Bank, was elected to hold the position of Treasurer and Jim Comly, a retiree from GE Global Research, will be taking the Assistant Treasurer position

Welcome to the Board!
Vincent Maine
Joan Wagner

NEW on our WEBSITE

CHECK OUT OUR NEW CALENDAR

We have added an easy to use calendar for all Dudley Observatory events, meetings and special dates.  Stay on top of what is happening so you will not miss out on any awesome activities.

WE NOW HAVE A  FORUM
This is your opportunity to share your thoughts.  We have boards covering everything from Dudley history to new breakthroughs in astronomy.
Sign up and start posting today!

Union College Academy for Lifelong Learning

What 's New in Astronomy
Tuesdays
April 7, 14, 21, 28
and May 5
1 to 3 p.m.

The International Year of Astronomy will be celebrated in 2009; astronomy is exploding with new discoveries. Our Capital Region has historic connections with astronomy in the Dudley Observatory and Ralph Alpher.

All the speakers in this course have served on the Board of the Dudley
Observatory. Union College Professor Francis Wilkin will describe advances in Cosmology; Professor Rebecca Koopmann will explain dark matter and the evolution of galaxies and will recall her undergraduate work at Union with Dr. Alpher. Dudley Observatory Executive Director Janie Schwab will describe the evolution of the Dudley Observatory from its mid-19th century origins, its current and future directions, and how to navigate the heavens with or without a telescope. Schenectady Museum's Planetarium Director Steve Russo will talk about the history of space travel and the Hubble telescope. SUNY Albany Distinguished Teaching Professor John Delano will tell us of the rapidly developing understanding of extrasolar planets around other stars and talk about the prospects of life on other planets.

Register by March 12!

Open Mic Event

(January 25, 2009)
Memories of Dudley

Dudley Observatory held its second "Open Mic Event" on a beautiful, albeit cold Sunday afternoon. A group  including Doug and Joan Hallgren and Roy and Gladys Anderson, and our newly elected Board President, Vince Amodeo gathered at Dudley Observatory to share stories and memories of Dudley.  Watch our website for future "Open Mic Events" and plan to come and share your stories with us!

 

 

 

IYA 2009 Kick Off held on Jan 10

(January 10, 2009)

Star Parties in Three Locations

We joined observatories around the world in holding events on January 10 to kick off the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009).  Star parties were scheduled simultaneously around the Capital Region at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, Children's Museum of Science and Technology, and the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium.

Who would have predicted snow?

Fortunately, we were prepared with planetarium shows in two venues, and a show on the Solar System, courtesy of NASA.

Thanks to all (including 50 Brownies) who braved the snow to enjoy an evening of astronomy!

 

 

 

 

Our Sponsors

Dudley Observatory gratefully acknowledges our supporters:

Adirondack Public Observatory

Albany Area Amateur Astronomers

Albany International Corp.

American Association of Physics Teachers

American Physical Society

Capital District Library Council

The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region's Bender Scientific Fund

First Niagara Bank

Homestead Funding Corp.

Lawrence I. & Blanche H. Rhodes Memorial Fund, Inc.

McCary & Huff, LLP
Kathryn.McCary@verizon.net
518-377-6489

Orion Telescopes and Binoculars

Ronald McDonald House Charities

Union College Academy for Lifelong Learning

I'm looking forward to hearing your comments and suggestions for future issues!

Clear Skies,

Janie Schwab
Dudley Observatory