NOTE — Summer Start Time is 8:00 PM and the Window to the Universe Saturday public events are now the THIRD Saturday of the month, reflecting the moon’s annoying full status on the fourth Saturday dates. Bear with us while the moon learns to cooperate with Friends of Taylor Observatory.
Windows to the Universe July 21, 2018
Mr. Eduardo Alatorre, our solar system expert, describing the history, current status and implications of Commercial Space Travel. These new developments follow changes in the way that NASA conducts its operations with important implications for our country’s future exploration of near space.
Join us for what promises to be an exciting evening of astronomy, where we’ll be able to enjoy lunar and planetary views and some satisfying deep sky objects while viewing on the Nieman Star Deck. We’ll feature the Swan Nebula (Omega Nebula, M-17) in the Southern Sky and the Whirlpool nebula near Ursa Major. Other objects can be viewed for those with special requests.
Some future events in the offing:
August 12, Sunday, and/or August 13 Monday(tentative dates) the ever popular Perseids meteor shower, again this year under dark new moon conditions, provides a good excuse getting outside under the stars — especially for children. (Free event — donations appreciated)
August 18, Saturday, Window to the Universe: Local amateur scientist/astronomer/geologist Stephen Kane will update us on volcanoes, near and far, following a summer of intense earth-based volcanic activity, some of it tragic for life and property. Newly discovered volcanic activity on moons of solar system planets complements the earthbound discussion. In addition to a planetarium show we may show an Iceland volcanic movie in the classroom, different from the one that we showed some years ago, obtained on Bill and Barbara Haddon’s Iceland trip.
September 15, Saturday, Window to the Universe — Stanford Professor Dr. Phil Scherrer will update us on happenings with the Sun in his third lecture at Taylor Observatory. As an experimentalist both with earth-bound observations and with equipment on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), some designed by his own Stanford Solar team, Phil’s information on solar goings-on is an opportunity to hear one of the world’s top solar researchers. We are especially honored to have Prof Scherrer at Taylor Observatory.
October 13, Saturday, “Astronomy Day”. We’ll try to open Taylor for solar observing and into the evening. Tentative depending on staff availability.
October 20, Saturday – a special Double Feature: In the Windows to the Universe talk, Taylor lecturer and FOTO Board member Dr. David Velasquez will discuss “Future Missions” — describing the more distant probe expeditions to interesting parts of the solar system and beyond, exemplifying NASA’s new emphasis on research expeditions as the more routine supply missions are transferred to commercial companies. Some of you will recall David’s outstanding talk on the New Horizons probe’s rendezvous with Pluto several years ago, the 2nd most attended event in the last 8 years at Taylor. Of course we did supply free pizza for that event; [The record attendance was last August’s partial solar eclipse hosted by FOTO Board members Emily Whittlesey and Eduardo Alatorre.
Also Saturday October 20 is “Observe the Moon Night” a national tribute to our nearby space traveler.
Please remember to donate to Friends of Taylor as you are able. Donations go directly to Lake County’s science education activities through our collaboration with the Lake County Office of Education, Brock Falkenberg, Superintendent. Donations, and requests for our monthly newsletter are accepted through the FOTO Web Page: www.friendsoftaylor.org Memberships (through PayPal) are available at several levels and we can always discuss special contributions. If you haven’t already, please visit www.friendsoftaylor.org and observe the excellent, professional design efforts of our newest FOTO Board member, Barbara McIntyre.
Questions? Phone us at 707 262-4121 or send an email to friendsoftaylor@gmail.com
Keep in touch by visiting our Facebook page “Friends of Taylor Observatory” .
FOTO is a 501 c 3 CA Corporation
FOTO’s primary goal is fundraising. Typically, planetarium shows cost $3,000-$5,000. When we bring in an expert from outside the Northern California, there are expenses. Donations are thus always welcome, with the reminder that our primary mission is to provide an outstanding educational observatory resource for Lake County’s K-12 students. Last year, we adopted the new policy that Lake County K-12 students have free admission to monthly Windows events.
Thanks for your interest in Taylor Observatory!
Bill Haddon, President
Friends of Taylor Observatory-Norton Planetarium