Celestial Navigation:
Where Are We? Look to the Stars!
Tim Gill, KVUSD
Taylor Observatory, Saturday, June 29, 2019 8:00PM
8:00 INTRODUCTION: Bill Haddon, FOTO Pres. “What’s Up at Taylor Observatory?”
8:10 LECTURE: Tim Gill
9:00 PLANETARIUM: Full Dome Show and June Night Sky (Eduardo Alatorre)
9:30-11:00 TELESCOPE VIEWING on the NIEMAN STAR DECK – Jupiter!
Have you ever wondered how navigators knew where they were and in which direction they should go before the invention of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites? In this presentation, Tim Gill will investigate how ancient mariners and land-based explorers used the position of celestial objects (sun, moon, planets, and stars) to navigate from one place to another. Through tales of heroic adventurers and demonstrations of pre-GPS observation tools, attendees will gain a new appreciation for celestial objects and the role they played in our understanding of the geography of the Earth.
Jupiter, positioned near opposition, should be a spectacular telescope target on Saturday night and will be a featured observational goal on the Nieman Star Deck starting around 9:30.
Tim brings both knowledge and light-heartedness to this interesting topic. Tim, a math teacher and Student Services Director for the Kelseyville Unified School District, works yearly with students in Australia as a break from his multiple KVUSD responsibilities.
Location: Taylor Observatory, 5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville, CA 95451. Proceed to Taylor on gravel road at end of Oak Hills Lane
Admission: $5.00 adults, free to Lake Co. K-12 students. Additional donations support Lake County STEM education and are encouraged. (707) 262-4121
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.
Check out our Friends of Taylor Facebook page and “Dark Skies – Lake County, CA”
Window to the Universe is sponsored by Friends of Taylor Observatory, a CA 501 (c) (3) Corporation promoting STEM education for Lake County Students – Bill Haddon, President. In collaboration with Lake County Dept. of Education, Brock Falkenberg, Superintendent, Elisa Prather, Taylor Coordinator and Kelseyville Unified School District, Dave McQueen, Superintendent