Dudley Observations

Volume 8, No10, December 2009

Greetings,

December. The shortest days of the year are approaching - which means that you don't have to stay up past your bedtime to see the stars! We have some wonderful events planned, and we'll be starting a group for those interested in photographing the night sky. Join us!

Clear Skies,

Janie Schwab
Executive Director

Santa and Stars !

Magic & Melodies - Jay Street Area, Schenectady
Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009 4:00pm - 9:00pm  Program of Events

Music, Horse Drawn Carriages, Tree Lighting, Star Gazing, Bagpipes, and more...

Final SkyWatch Lecture 2009

Owen Gingerich - December 8, 2009
Kepler, Galileo, and the Birth of Modern Astronomy

GE Theatre at Proctors
Tickets:
$5 Students
$10 General 
$8 Members of Dudley Observatory & UCALL

2009 is the 400th anniversary of Kepler's Astronomia nova, and of the first astronomical use of the telescope, especially by Galileo. I will argue that more important than Kepler's elliptical orbits and the law of areas was his pioneering insistence on astronomy based on physical causes. Particularly remarkable about Galileo's use of the telescope was the way in which he used his observations to challenge the traditional geocentric cosmology. In very different fashions these two contemporary astronomers hastened the astronomical revolution and became the fathers of modern astronomy.

Owen Gingerich is Professor Emeritus of Astronomy and of the History of Science at Harvard University and a senior astronomer emeritus at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Professor Gingerich has become a leading authority on the 17th-century German astronomer Johannes Kepler and on Nicholas Copernicus, the 16th- century cosmologist who proposed the heliocentric system. At Harvard he taught "The Astronomical Perspective," a core science course for non-scientists, which at the time of his retirement in 2000 was "the longest-running course under the same management" at Harvard. In 1984 he won the Harvard- Radcliffe Phi Beta Kappa prize for excellence in teaching. A world traveler, he has successfully observed twelve total solar eclipses.

NEW Program begins Dec 10!

DARK?

Are you interested in taking photos of celestial objects? Would you like to try your hand at research, and maybe find new planets?

We are starting a group for teens & adults who would like to work together to learn the digital imaging techniques that are central to many astronomy projects.

Whether you want to take nice photos with a digital camera, or do CCD imaging through a telescope, this group will get you started. We are looking for mentors, as well as novices.

In addition to the imaging, we have chosen a basic research project which can be worked on by members of the group. The kickoff meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7pm at Dudley Observatory. Directions

The working name of the project is DARK - Dudley Astrophotography Research (K)nights. If you can think of a better one, you could win an official Dudley mug!

By the way, the photo of M51 was taken by Colin Littlefield when he was one of our Rising Star Interns!

Pollock Award 2005 Results in Book
Historia Del Observatorio Nacional Argentino

We just received a beautiful book on the history of the Cordoba Observatory in Argentina.

2005 Pollock Award winners Dr. Santiago Paolantinio & Dr.Edgardo Minniti of the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, and Dr. Jorge Bartolucci of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico applied for the award to study the influence of American astronomers and  the Dudley Observatory on the Establishment of the National Observatory of Cordoba, Argentina.

The photos in it will have historians and astronomers alike fighting over who gets to read it first. So come on in, and practice your Spanish! 

Rising Star Internships
Applications now Available

Does the night sky fascinate you? Would you like to be able to gaze at planets, star clusters, and galaxies through a telescope? Would you like to be able to show these wonders to other astronomy lovers?

The Dudley Observatory is looking for student interns. We will teach you to find your way around the night sky, and to use a telescope to observe interesting celestial objects at public star parties.

Each intern who fulfills the program requirements will be awarded a telescope to keep, upon graduation, so that they will have the equipment, as well as the knowledge and experience to enjoy astronomy as a life-long quest.
Rising Star program description
Rising Star student application (gr 6-10)
Rising Star teacher application

Advanced Astronomy Campership

The  Hessberg Astronomy Campership  provides an unusual opportunity for high school sophomores or juniors in the Capital District of New York to participate in a week-long research experience in astronomy at the Advanced Astronomy Camp in Tucson, Arizona.

Astronomy Camp link
Campership description and application info

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Please remember that the non-profits you support love to hear from you as the year ends!

Happy Holidays!

Janie Schwab
Dudley Observatory