Window to the Universe
October 24, 2020 will be a Remote Event Presentation on Zoom
— There’s a limit of approximately 75 attendees, with 20 slots reserved for Astronomy Club students.
— Details will be sent via the FOTO Subscriber Mailing List. If you are NOT subscribed please subscribe to our Newsletter on the Home Page OR Send an email ASAP to: friendsoftaylor@gmail.com
Schedule:
7:45 Zoom session opens
8:00 Tim Gill, FOTO VP — Instructions for use of Zoom
8:10 Bill Haddon, FOTO President
— Welcome
— Astronomy happenings this fall
— Update on Dark Sky Initiative
8:20 Lecture: Eduardo Alatorre (see below for abstract and bio)
9:00 Comments and questions.
9:15 Live views of the Moon and crater tour using Tom Schleif’s 12″ Dobsonian Telescope
Exploring Saturn, the Jewel of the Solar System
Cassini: 20 Years of Exploration
Mr. Eduardo Alatorre
.Amateur Astronomer, FOTO Board Member, Taylor Observatory Docent
Abstract: In the early 1980s the twin Voyager probes sent back the first clear images of Saturn. These two probes gave us a tantalizing nibble at the beauty and wonder of Saturn as they quickly flew by while heading deeper into space. The Voyager fly-by of Saturn set the stage for a more ambitious mission. In 1997 the Cassin/Huygens probe set out on a journey to explore Saturn. This probe had the task to orbit Saturn and release a lander on Saturn’s largest moon Titan. The data that Cassini sent back revealed a more dynamic Saturn and its rings. It revealed the surface of Titan, the icy plumes of Enceladus, and many more interesting worlds orbiting Saturn. Cassini ended its mission in 2017 when it plunged into Saturn. The probe kept sending data until it burnt up in Saturn’s atmosphere.
Speaker Bio: Eduardo Alatorre’s interest in the solar system dates to his childhood. While at Kelseyville High School he served in Barbara McIntyre’s high school cooperative program where his interest broadened to embrace the student robotics programs. His enthusiasm for teaching science to students is legendary. Eduardo joined the Friends of Taylor Observatory (FOTO) Board in 2013. With the Lake County Office of Education (LCOE), he’s currently a Taylor Observatory docent, working with Angelo Parisi and Elisa Prather. Eduardo has presented multiple lectures in FOTO’s Window to the Universe series and has spoken both locally and regionally, including invited talks at the Ukiah Latitude Observatory and the Sonoma County Astronomical Society. Eduardo attends Mendocino College with a major in mathematics.
— No charge, but donations appreciated!
https://friendsoftaylor.org/membership/ (one time donation or membership options).
Friends of Taylor Observatory-Norton Planetarium is a CA 501 c3 Corporation Benefitting Lake County K-12 Students. Visit our website Join/Support Page to support our mission or become a member, or phone us at the Friends of Taylor Observatory (707) 262-4121.
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