• 28 May 2023 11:00 PM | Scott Miller (Administrator)
    Tuesday, 05/30/23  3:30 PM
    In-person

    Natural Science Annex
    UC Santa Cruz
    Room 101
    Santa Cruz, CA 95064

    Extraterrestrial Helium-3: A new proxy for sea ice coverage and ice sheet melt rates

    Frankie Pavia
    Speaker: Frankie Pavia, CalTech
    Wow! This looks great! Wonder where it is?

    Website: https://eps.ucsc.edu/news-events/whole-earth-seminars/spring-2023.html

    Cost:  Free
    =============================
    Tuesday, 05/30/23
    03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
    In-person

    Stanford Applied Physics/Physics Colloquium
    Hewlett Teaching Center
    370 Jane Stanford Way, Room 200
    Stanford University
    Stanford, CA 94305

    From quarks to nuclei: computing the Standard Model

    Our understanding of the structure of matter, encapsulated in the Standard Model of particle physics, is that protons, neutrons, and nuclei emerge dynamically from the interactions of underlying quark and gluon degrees of freedom. I will describe how first-principles theory calculations have given us new insights into this structure, including recent predictions of the contributions of gluons to the pressure distribution in the proton, which have been followed by first experimental measurements. I will also discuss studies of light nuclei which provide insights relevant to dark matter direct-detection experiments and other intensity-frontier searches for new physics. Finally, I will explain how provably exact machine learning algorithms are launching a computational revolution in this field.

    Speaker: Phiala Shanahan, Massachusets Institute of Technology

    Website: https://events.stanford.edu/event/applied_physicsphysics_colloquium_phiala_shanahan_-_from_quarks_to_nuclei_computing_the_standard_model

    Cost:  Free

    =============================

    Wednesday, 05/31/23
    09:00 AM - 10:00 AM-In the morning!

    Livestream

    SETI Institute

    https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-516469089-268241177794-1-original.20230517-042403.jpeg

    A Sign in Space - Signs in Space
    A Sign in Space is a multidisciplinary art project conceived by artist Daniela De Paulis. De Paulis is leading a global team to send an encoded message from the European Space Agency (ESA) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) back to Earth, simulating a signal an advanced extraterrestrial civilization could eventually send to Earth. The message will be “detected” by four radio astronomy observatories on Earth: the SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array (ATA), The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT), the National Science Foundation’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and the Medicina Radio Astronomical Station observatory managed by INAF (the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics). De Paulis and her team developed the encoded message, but its contents remain unknown, even to most of the collaborating partners.

    The message will be transmitted from the TGO on May 24 at 19:16 UTC/12:15 pm PDT.
      
    Following the transmission, the A Sign in Space team will host a series of Zoom-based discussions open to the public around topics that consider the societal implications of detecting a signal from an extraterrestrial civilization. The discussions will take place over 6-8 weeks after the transmission.

    Join “A Sign in Space” Artistic Director in a lively and thought provoking brainstorming session about the possible meaning of the simulated extra-terrestrial message created for the project. The workshop will start by reading some excerpts from Italo Calvino’s book “Cosmicomics” and will continue with a conversation with the workshop’s participants on possible forms of communication attempted by an extraterrestrial civilization with human and non-human life forms. Be prepared to draw and write if you wish.

    Hosted by Daniela de Paulis

    Website:  https://www.seti.org/event/sign-space

    Register:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-sign-in-space-signs-in-space-workshop-tickets-637861780757
    Cost:  Free

    =============================

    Wednesday, 05/31/23
    04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
    Livestream

    SETI Institute

    JWST: A Cosmic Time Machine for Astrobiology - Livestream

    We are thrilled to announce an upcoming panel discussion that will take you on a journey to discover the secrets of our solar system and the search for life beyond our planet. Two scientists from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland - Dr. Stefanie Milam, astrophysicist and astrochemist, and Dr. Geronimo Villanueva, planetary scientist and astrobiologist - will participate in this mind-blowing exploration into the unknown. Communications specialist Beth Johnson will moderate the discussion.

    What makes this topic exciting is the recent launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the most powerful space telescope ever built. Dr. Milam and Dr. Villanueva will share their expertise on how this groundbreaking observatory will pave the way in the search for prebiotic chemistry, signatures of biology, and potential habitable worlds.

    But it doesn't stop there. Our panelists will also explore some of the most promising targets for the search for life in our solar system: from the geysers of Enceladus, a small icy moon of Saturn, to Europa, Jupiter's moon believed to have a subsurface ocean of liquid water, and even to the potential for finding life on Titan, Saturn's moon with liquid methane and ethane lakes on its surface.

    This event is a rare opportunity to learn from two of the most brilliant minds in space exploration and astrobiology. They will share their insights, perspectives, and the implications of such a discovery for our understanding of the universe and our place in it.

    Register at weblink to attend

    Website: https://www.seti.org/event/seti-talks-jwst-cosmic-time-machine-astrobiology

    Cost:  Free

    =============================

    Friday, 06/02/23  12:00 PM
    In-person

    Earth and Marine Sciences Building
    UC Santa Cruz
    Room A340
    Santa Cruz, CA 95064

    A Past Episode of Rapid Tidal Evolution of Enceladus?

    Matija Cuk

    Saturn possesses a dynamically rich system containing numerous moons and impressive rings. Whether the rings of Saturn are much younger than the planet itself has been a long-open question; more recently a young age has been proposed for some moons. Recent detection of the fast orbital evolution of Rhea and Titan strongly suggest highly frequency-dependent tidal response of Saturn, possibly through excitation of inertial waves within the planet's convective envelope. Taking into account observations and numerical simulations, we argue that nether pure evolution through inertial waves not conventional (equilibrium) tides can explain the Saturnian system. We propose that the system's architecture can best be explain by relatively high "background" tidal response coupled with discrete resonant modes. Assuming that Enceladus went through a temporary period of fast tidal evolution, we can reproduce its present resonance with Dione and satisfy other dynamical constraints.

    Speaker: Matija Cuk, SETI

    Website: https://eps.ucsc.edu/news-events/igpp-seminar/spring-2023.html

    Cost:  Free

    =============================

    Friday, 06/02/23
    06:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    In-person

    Chabot Space and Science Center
    10000 Skyline Blvd
    Oakland, CA 94619

    First Fridays Climate Series: Atmospheric Extremes
    Desert and Glacier

    Evidence for the extreme weather conditions we are experiencing in North America is becoming more frequent and highlighting the real effects of climate change. Throughout the Bay Area and California, we have experienced extreme heat, atmospheric rivers, sea level rise, low water reservoirs, massive lighting strikes, high winds, severe air conditions due to wildfires, depleted mountain snowpacks and other conditions that have impacted people, animals, land, waterways and agriculture. Join us for a night of ideas and solutions as we explore our changing climate.

    Website: https://chabotspace.org/calendar/first-fridays-climate-series-atmospheric-extremes/

    Cost:  $15 General, $10 Kids/Seniors, $5 Members

    =============================

    Friday, 06/02/23  7PM
    In-person

    Telescope Makers Workshop
    Chabot Space and Science Center
    10000 Skyline Boulevard
    Oakland, CA 94619-245

    The Chabot Telescope Maker's workshop reopens! Chabot's TMW is one of only a handful of regularly scheduled telescope making workshops in the U.S., and probably the world; it meets every Friday evening throughout the year, except Memorial Day weekend. It has been in operation since December of 1930, founded by Franklin B. Wright, and is currently run by Eastbay Astronomical Society member Rich Ozer, with help from other EAS members, Dave Barosso, Barry Leska, and others. The price of admission is FREE. All you have to do is show up, buy a mirror blank and a "tool" (typically around $100 - $200 depending on the size of the mirror) and start "pushin' glass!" We supply you with instruction, the various grits you'll need to first grind, and then polish and figure your mirror, and all the testing equipment needed. With a small bit of luck, you could wind up with a telescope that costs 1/3 or 1/4 the cost of a store-bought telescope, that is yet optically superior! It does take time - depending on how much time you put in on it, and other factors, it could take a few months.. But, it's a fun project, great for kids, and at the end you get a great telescope!

    Enter from the main loading dock behind the main building.

    Please be prepared with proof of vaccination and a mask. These are
    Chabot Rules, which we always must adhere to.

    If you have a project, bring it with you so we can assess next steps.
    You can also bring any other equipment or literature you may have
    questions about.

    For more information call or email Richard Ozer at richozer1@... or phone (510) 406-1914.

    =============================

    Friday, 06/02/2023 9PM-11PM for night observing and Saturday 06/03/2023
     10AM-12 Noon for solar observing
    In-person

    Foothill Observatory is open again!
    12345 El Monte Road
    Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

    Foothill Observatory now Open EVERY clear Friday night and Saturday morning

    The Foothill College Astronomy Department and Peninsula Astronomical Society (PAS) have reopened public viewing programs at Foothill College Observatory on:

    ·       Every clear Friday night from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. for star gazing

    ·       Every clear Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon for solar viewing

    Since we are still dealing with COVID, we are adopting the following guidelines to enable safe operation of the Observatory for both our public visitors and our PAS operators.  We ask that visitors please agree to complying with these guidelines before visiting the Observatory, and to direct any questions to info@....

    ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES
    1.    Full vaccination against COVID-19 is required to visit the Foothill College campus — This is a College requirement detailed on the Foothill College COVID-19 Behavioral Expectations page. So bring your vaccination certificate if possible.

    2.    Mask usage is required anytime visiting the Foothill College campus — This includes the Observatory, per the same college policy linked above in item 1. 

    3.    The number of visitors allowed inside the Observatory is reduced — To avoid overcrowding within the limited space, please wait outside the observatory until a PAS telescope operator lets you and your group inside. Once your group is done viewing through the telescope, you will exit the Observatory so that a new group may enter. 

    Websites:  https://foothill.edu/astronomy/observatory.html

    and  https://pastro.org

    =============================

    Friday, 06/02/23 and Saturday, 06/03/23
    07:30 PM - 10:00 PM--Free telescope viewings are back!
    In-person

    Chabot Space and Science Center
    10000 Skyline Blvd
    Oakland, CA 94619

    Free Telescope Viewings

    Join Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for a free telescope viewing! Weather permitting, this is a chance to explore stars, planets and more through Chabot’s historic telescopes. Chabot’s three large historic telescopes offer a unique way to experience the awe and wonder of the Universe. Our observatory deck offers breathtaking views 1,500 feet above the Bay. Three observatory domes house the Center’s 8-inch (Leah, 1883) and 20-inch (Rachel, 1916) refracting telescopes, along with a 36-inch reflecting telescope (Nellie, 2003).

    Are the skies clear for viewing tonight? Viewing can be impacted by rain, clouds, humidity and other weather conditions. Conditions can be unique to Chabot because of its unique location in Joaquin Miller Park. Before your visit, check out the Weather Station to see the current conditions at Chabot.

    https://chabotspace.org/weather-station/

    Website: https://chabotspace.org/events/events-listing/

    Cost:  Free

    =============================

    Saturday, 06/03/23
    08:00 PM - 09:30 PM
    Livestream

    San Jose Astronomical Association

    Meeting our Nearest Planetary Neighbors -- and a Glimpse of the Solar System's Ultimate Fate -- with NASA's TESS Mission- Livestream

    The past three decades of observational astronomy have led to the discovery of the first known exoplanets, or planets orbiting stars other than the Sun. Since the first exoplanets were found in the 1980s and 1990s, thousands of additional discoveries have shown us that planets are ubiquitous in the Milky Way and even outnumber stars in our galaxy. Now, that we know these planets exist, our challenge is to probe their detailed properties and answer questions like "What are these planets like?", "Are these worlds similar to the ones in our Solar System, or different from anything we know?", and "Could any of these planets host life?". As a first step in this direction, we have launched the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission into Earth orbit. TESS's goal is to conduct a census of our closest planetary neighbors and identify the best planets to study in detail to answer these questions. I will review the TESS mission, show some of its early results, and highlight a particularly interesting discovery that shows the possible future of our own solar system.

    Speaker: Dr. Andrew Vanderburg

    Register at weblink to receive stream information

    Website: https://www.meetup.com/sj-astronomy/events/291041735/

    Cost:  Free

  • 28 May 2023 10:30 PM | Scott Miller (Administrator)

    Monday, 06/05/23
    09:00 AM - 10:00 AM-In the morning!

    Livestream

    SETI Institute

    https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-516480679-268241177794-1-original.20230517-045244.jpeg

    A Sign in Space - Electronic Literature
    A Sign in Space is a multidisciplinary art project conceived by artist Daniela De Paulis. De Paulis is leading a global team to send an encoded message from the European Space Agency (ESA) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) back to Earth, simulating a signal an advanced extraterrestrial civilization could eventually send to Earth. The message will be “detected” by four radio astronomy observatories on Earth: the SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array (ATA), The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT), the National Science Foundation’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and the Medicina Radio Astronomical Station observatory managed by INAF (the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics). De Paulis and her team developed the encoded message, but its contents remain unknown, even to most of the collaborating partners.

    The message will be transmitted from the TGO on May 24 at 19:16 UTC/12:15 pm PDT.
      
    Following the transmission, the A Sign in Space team will host a series of Zoom-based discussions open to the public around topics that consider the societal implications of detecting a signal from an extraterrestrial civilization. The discussions will take place over 6-8 weeks after the transmission.

    This workshop will be hosted by Professors Scott Rettberg and Joseph Tabbi of the Center for Digital Narrative will explore the potentialities of electronic literature (e-lit) for the reception and interpretation of extraterrestrial communication. The workshop will include inputs from four leading digital authors: Natalia Fedorova, Jason Nelson, Allison Parrish, and Rob Wittig. The workshop will conclude with the launch of a new “netprov” - a collectively written fiction that all workshop attendees can contribute to both during the workshop and after. We welcome up to 40 participants in the workshop.

    Website: https://www.seti.org/event/sign-space

    Register:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-sign-in-space-electronic-literature-tickets-637872763607
    Cost:  Free

    =============================

    Monday, 06/05/23
    07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
    In-person and Livestream

    Hewlett Teaching Center
    370 Jane Stanford Way, Room 200
    Stanford University
    Stanford, CA 94305

    Particle-like Dark Matter: When All Other Lights Go Out

    Dark Matter Detector

    Deep in underground laboratories sit some of humanity’s most sensitive detectors. Their purpose is to discover dark matter, an unknown substance that makes up ~80% of the mass in our universe, but whose nature remains shrouded in mystery. New particles with extremely weak interactions have been proposed as natural candidates for dark matter, and physicists are actively building detectors to search for them. In this lecture, Dr. Jelle Aalbers will discuss efforts to build and operate large detectors that search for rare small light flashes from dark matter particles bouncing off of regular atoms. He will present what we have learned so far from these experiments, including preliminary results from the LUX-ZEPLIN experiment, a dark matter detector filled with 7 tons of liquid xenon in a South Dakota gold mine.

    Speaker: Jelle Aalbers, Stanford University

    Register at weblink to attend on line, or attend in person.

    Website: https://kipac.stanford.edu/events/particle-dark-matter-when-all-other-lights-go-out

    Register here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/astronomy-lecture-particle-like-dark-matter-registration-631763761417

    Cost:  Free

    =============================

    Wednesday, 06/07/23
    09:00 AM - 10:00 AM-In the morning!

    Livestream

    SETI Institute


    https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-516487369-268241177794-1-original.20230517-051321.jpeg


    A Sign in Space - Extraterrestrial Intelligence and Islamic Thought 


    A Sign in Space is a multidisciplinary art project conceived by artist Daniela De Paulis. De Paulis is leading a global team to send an encoded message from the European Space Agency (ESA) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) back to Earth, simulating a signal an advanced extraterrestrial civilization could eventually send to Earth. The message will be “detected” by four radio astronomy observatories on Earth: the SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array (ATA), The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT), the National Science Foundation’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and the Medicina Radio Astronomical Station observatory managed by INAF (the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics). De Paulis and her team developed the encoded message, but its contents remain unknown, even to most of the collaborating partners.

    The message will be transmitted from the TGO on May 24 at 19:16 UTC/12:15 pm PDT.
      
    Following the transmission, the A Sign in Space team will host a series of Zoom-based discussions open to the public around topics that consider the societal implications of detecting a signal from an extraterrestrial civilization. The discussions will take place over 6-8 weeks after the transmission.

    One of the most influential heavenly messages in the history of humanity has been the Quran. The revelation received by Prophet Muhammad contains many references to intelligent beings from outside our world, including jinn, angels and God himself. This webinar discusses how extraterrestrial intelligence has been understood from an Islamic perspective.

    Hosted by Jörg Matthias Determann (Virginia Commonwealth University with Shoaib Ahmed Malik (Zayed University), Hamza Karamali (Basira Education) and Richard Playford (Leeds Trinity University)

    Website: https://www.seti.org/event/sign-space

    REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-sign-in-space-extraterrestrial-intelligence-and-islamic-thought-tickets-637881138657


    Cost:  Free

    =============================

    Thursday, 06/08/23  5:30 PM

    In-person and Online

    Commonwealth Club
    110 The Embarcadero
    San Francisco, CA 94105

    Discovering the Cosmos

    As a child, Sarafina El-Badry Nance spent nearly every evening with her father gazing up at the flickering stars and pondering what secrets the night sky held. The daughter of an American father and Egyptian mother, Sarafina dreamed of becoming an astronomer. But it wasn’t long before she was told, both explicitly and implicitly, that girls just weren’t cut out for math and science.

    In a field that sees few women and women of color, Sarafina reflects on the obstacles that she faced to pursue her passion for the cosmos.

    Join us for an in-depth talk with astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance.

    Attend in person or online

    Moderator: Gerald Harris, Quantum Planning Group, Commonwealth Club

    Website: https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2023-06-08/sarafina-el-badry-nance-discovering-cosmos

    and https://wonderfest.org/starstruck/

    Use code WonderfestPromo for $10 off in-person tickets, or to attend online for free


    Cost:  $20 General, $10 Members in person, $5/free online

    =============================

    Thursday, 06/08/23  7:30 PM

    Livestream

    Bay Area Skeptics

    Improbable Research and the Ig Nobel Prizes - Livestream


    The Ig Nobel Prizes honor achievements that make people LAUGH, then THINK. Ten new prizes have been awarded every year since 1991. The magazine Annals of Improbable Research organizes the Ig Nobel ceremony, which is held at Harvard University.

    Speaker: Marc Abrahams, editor, Annals of Improbable Research

    Website: http://baskeptics.org/upcomingskeptalk/


    Cost:  Free

    =============================

    Friday, 06/09/23  7PM
    In-person

    Telescope Makers Workshop
    Chabot Space and Science Center
    10000 Skyline Boulevard
    Oakland, CA 94619-245

    The Chabot Telescope Maker's workshop reopens! Chabot's TMW is one of only a handful of regularly scheduled telescope making workshops in the U.S., and probably the world; it meets every Friday evening throughout the year, except Memorial Day weekend. It has been in operation since December of 1930, founded by Franklin B. Wright, and is currently run by Eastbay Astronomical Society member Rich Ozer, with help from other EAS members, Dave Barosso, Barry Leska, and others. The price of admission is FREE. All you have to do is show up, buy a mirror blank and a "tool" (typically around $100 - $200 depending on the size of the mirror) and start "pushin' glass!" We supply you with instruction, the various grits you'll need to first grind, and then polish and figure your mirror, and all the testing equipment needed. With a small bit of luck, you could wind up with a telescope that costs 1/3 or 1/4 the cost of a store-bought telescope, that is yet optically superior! It does take time - depending on how much time you put in on it, and other factors, it could take a few months.. But, it's a fun project, great for kids, and at the end you get a great telescope!

    Enter from the main loading dock behind the main building.

    Please be prepared with proof of vaccination and a mask. These are
    Chabot Rules, which we always must adhere to.

    If you have a project, bring it with you so we can assess next steps.
    You can also bring any other equipment or literature you may have
    questions about.

    For more information call or email Richard Ozer at richozer1@gmail.com or phone (510) 406-1914.

    =============================

    Friday, 06/09/2023 9PM-11PM for night observing and Saturday 06/10/2023
     10AM-12 Noon for solar observing
    In-person

    Foothill Observatory is open again!
    12345 El Monte Road
    Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

    Foothill Observatory now Open EVERY clear Friday night and Saturday morning

    The Foothill College Astronomy Department and Peninsula Astronomical Society (PAS) have reopened public viewing programs at Foothill College Observatory on:

    ·       Every clear Friday night from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. for star gazing

    ·       Every clear Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon for solar viewing

    Since we are still dealing with COVID, we are adopting the following guidelines to enable safe operation of the Observatory for both our public visitors and our PAS operators.  We ask that visitors please agree to complying with these guidelines before visiting the Observatory, and to direct any questions to info@....

    ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES
    1.    Full vaccination against COVID-19 is required to visit the Foothill College campus — This is a College requirement detailed on the Foothill College COVID-19 Behavioral Expectations page. So bring your vaccination certificate if possible.

    2.    Mask usage is required anytime visiting the Foothill College campus — This includes the Observatory, per the same college policy linked above in item 1. 

    3.    The number of visitors allowed inside the Observatory is reduced — To avoid overcrowding within the limited space, please wait outside the observatory until a PAS telescope operator lets you and your group inside. Once your group is done viewing through the telescope, you will exit the Observatory so that a new group may enter. 

    Websites:  https://foothill.edu/astronomy/observatory.html

    and  https://pastro.org

    =============================

    Friday, 06/09/23 and Saturday, 06/10/23
    07:30 PM - 10:00 PM--Free telescope viewings are back!
    In-person

    Chabot Space and Science Center
    10000 Skyline Blvd
    Oakland, CA 94619

    Free Telescope Viewings

    Join Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for a free telescope viewing! Weather permitting, this is a chance to explore stars, planets and more through Chabot’s historic telescopes. Chabot’s three large historic telescopes offer a unique way to experience the awe and wonder of the Universe. Our observatory deck offers breathtaking views 1,500 feet above the Bay. Three observatory domes house the Center’s 8-inch (Leah, 1883) and 20-inch (Rachel, 1916) refracting telescopes, along with a 36-inch reflecting telescope (Nellie, 2003).

    Are the skies clear for viewing tonight? Viewing can be impacted by rain, clouds, humidity and other weather conditions. Conditions can be unique to Chabot because of its unique location in Joaquin Miller Park. Before your visit, check out the Weather Station to see the current conditions at Chabot.

    https://chabotspace.org/weather-station/

    Website: https://chabotspace.org/events/events-listing/

    Cost:  Free

    =============================

    Saturday, 06/10/23
    10:00 AM - 03:00 PM

    In-person

    Chabot Space and Science Center
    10000 Skyline Blvd
    Oakland, CA 94619

    Investigating Space: Climate Change from Space
    Satelite

     Our changing climate is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today. Fortunately, there are many dedicated scientists working to lessen the effects of climate change for people around the world. Sometimes it takes a different perspective to get the full picture. Private technology companies, university researchers and NASA are using satellites to track climate change to make fighting its effects easier and more effective. Join us for special demos, hands-on activities and guest speakers that will take us through the process of fighting climate change from space!


    Cost:  Free with admission

    =============================
    Saturday, June, 10
    Sunset: 8:29 PM
    In-person

    San Mateo Co. Astronomical Society
    Crestview Park
    1000 Crestview Drive 
    San Carlos, CA

    Public Star Parties at Crestview Park in San Carlos

    SMCAS and the City of San Carlos Parks Department host a public star party at Crestview Park in San Carlos twice a month when there is a new moon.  Members set up telescopes and let the public view and share their knowledge of the night sky all for Free.  All ages are welcome.  If you have kids interested in space or science, bring them here for a real time view of planets, nebula, star clusters, and galaxies.

    If you are a Non-member and own a telescope, bring it to share!  Experts are available if you need assistance or have questions about buying a telescope.

    Telescope setup begins at sunset and observing starts one hour after sunset.  In the event of inclement weather (rain, clouds, fog, or high winds) the star party will be cancelled.  Because each astronomer makes his or her own decision about bringing their telescope, there is no official cancellation notice. 

    Crestview Park is located at 1000 Crestview Drive in San Carlos

    =============================

    Saturday, 06/10/23  8:30 PM

    In-person

    Lick Observatory
    7299 Mt. Hamilton Rd
    Mt. Hamilton, CA 95140

    Sunglasses, Viking Navigation and Astronomy with Polarimetry
    Daniel Cotton

    Each year Lick Observatory brings world-renown musicians and astronomers to the summit of Mount Hamilton for a musical night to remember.

    The event activities include:

    • Concert
    • Astronomy talk by world-renowned scientists
    • Viewing through the historic 36-inch Great Lick Refractor telescope
    • Viewing through the 40-inch Nickel Reflector telescope
    • Astronomy discussions with amateur astronomers and viewing through small telescopes
    Performer: Folias Duo
    Polarimetry is perhaps the least well known property of light. It was discovered in the 1800s, but before that it was the key to accurate Viking navigation. Today it is an enabling technology in everyday items like sunglasses. Traditionally, in astronomy, it has been used to understand magnetic fields and the dust between stars, as well as the atmospheres of planets. Recent advances in precision are now enabling new discoveries to be made about the atmospheres of stars as well. In this talk I will describe what polarisation is, and how it is used in each of these areas.

    Speaker: Daniel Cotton, Monterey Institute for Research in Astronomy

    Tickets go on sale at noon, May 8, 2023.  Limit 4 per customer.

    Website:  https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/music-of-the-spheres-2092629


    Cost:  $55 General

    =============================

    Saturday, 06/10/23
    09:30 PM - 11:30 PM

    In-person

    San Jose Astronomical Association

    (NewLocation) Laguna Seca area

    N. Coyote Valley OSP

    Binocular Stargazing at Laguna Seca, North Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve


    The San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) is proud to work with the Open Space Authority (OSA) to co-host a public star party at Rancho Canada del Oro (RCDO). This site is just 30 minutes south of downtown San Jose and features dark skies. It's dark enough to see the band of our Milky Way galaxy in the summer.

    Do not bring your own telescope (binoculars are welcomed, but please no tripods). SJAA club members will set up their telescopes to help star party guests get the most knowledge and enjoyment out of the dark Starry Night sky.

    In addition to traditional telescopes, the SJAA is excited to incorporate Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) into the Starry Nights Program. We will be using an automated telescope with a camera-like sensor to show live images on an iPad.

    Register at weblink.  Limited to 70 people.  See weblink for additional information

    Directions in website

    Website: https://www.meetup.com/sj-astronomy/events/293615460/


    Cost:  Free



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