Monday, 08/08/22
07:30 PM - 09:00 PM
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Dr.
San Francisco, CA 94118
Benjamin Dean Astronomy Lectures
Decoding the Mystery of Dark Matter Using Galaxy Clusters
One of the main challenges faced by astronomers today is to understand the existence and behaviors of dark matter, which accounts for about 80% of the entire matter content in the Universe. Despite many theories of this mysterious substance, we have yet to achieve a full understanding of its nature and distribution throughout the universe, especially in the absence of signals from direct-detection experiments. At present, the search for dark matter has largely shifted back to the field of astrophysics. For instance, clusters of galaxies provide an excellent laboratory to study the characteristics of dark matter. By studying merging clusters, we can place upper limits on the cross-section of dark matter scattering. Learn how astronomers use galaxy clusters to study various aspects of dark matter, and what other exciting discoveries we are making by studying the largest gravitationally bound systems in the cosmos.
Speaker: Dr. Taweewat Somboonpanyakul, Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, Stanford University
Website: https://www.calacademy.org/events/benjamin-dean-astronomy-lectures/decoding-the-mystery-of-dark-matter-using-galaxy-clusters
Cost: $15 General, $12 Members & Seniors
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Wednesday, 08/10/22
08:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Wonderfest
Wonderfest: Humanity's New Gravitational Sense
When I shake my first at the universe, however benignly, I make gravitational waves - vibrations of spacetime that travel throughout the universe at the speed of light. My personal gravitational waves are far too puny to detect. However, the spacetime waves of cataclysmic astronomical events (exploding stars, the merger of black holes, and the big bang itself) are relatively mighty. Modern gravitational wave detectors are giving us a new awareness - a new sense - of the cosmos.
Speaker: Dr. Rana Adhikari, California Institute of Technology
Website: https://wonderfest.org/gravitational-sense/
Zoom [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82589920544]
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Thursday, 08/11/22 7:30 PM
Bay Area Skeptics
What Does Evidence Do? - Livestream
When it comes to evaluating claims, skeptics tend to adopt the well-known Sagan Standard: “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” But what, exactly, is evidence? After all, conspiracy theorists and pseudoscientists often present a great deal of “evidence” for their claims. In fact, many conspiracy theorists themselves repeat Carl Sagan’s standard as a motto, believing that they do indeed possess extraordinary evidence. In this talk, I discuss different ways that the concept of evidence is used rhetorically in conspiracy claims. We will take a deep dive into what “evidence” means"and the work it does"for conspiracy theorists, as well as why “bad evidence” is often so persuasive.
Speaker: Jenny Rice, University of Kentucky
See weblink for connection information
Website: http://baskeptics.org/upcomingskeptalk/
Online. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip6x7UuU0uM
Cost: Free
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Friday, 08/12/22 7PM
Telescope Makers Workshop
Chabot Space and Science Center
10000 Skyline Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94619-2450
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 rrichozer1@... or phone (510) 406-1914.
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Friday, 08/12/22 and Saturday, 08/13/22
07:30 PM - 10:00 PM--Free telescope viewings are back!
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
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Saturday Aug 13, 2022 7:00 PM Pacific Time
East Bay Astronomical Society
Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s History of Robotic Space Exploration
SPEAKER : Dr. Varoujan Gorjian, JPL
ABOUT THE LECTURE:
In this lecture, we’ll trace the history of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory from the time it was started by amateur and academic rocket enthusiasts to becoming a research center for the US Army’s missile development program, to helping launch the United States’ first satellite and becoming NASA’s key center for robotic exploration of the solar system and beyond.
Dr. Varoujan Gorjian obtained his undergraduate degree in Astronomy at Caltech in 1992 and his Ph.D. at UCLA in 1998. He then went to work at JPL on the Spitzer Space Telescope project (2003-2020) and he has been there ever since. His research interests range from supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies to planets orbiting around nearby stars. He is also very involved with education and public outreach and does research with high school science teachers from across the country.
Website: https://eastbayastro.org/events/
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89637839410?pwd=Rk5PQnJ2dXhCV2NJa3VPMnFmUkJwdz09
Meeting ID: 872 6633 6338
Passcode: 935045
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Wednesday, 08/17/22 7:00 PM
San Francisco Amateur Astronomers
The World’s Largest International Dark Sky Reserve - Livestream
Over the past 100+ years, the world's night skies have been rapidly vanishing due to the spread of light pollution. Thankfully, easy solutions to light pollution exist. In a remote region of West Texas and Northern Mexico, astronomers, conservationists, parks, and many communities have teamed together to form the largest area in the world where the night sky is protected: the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve. The reserve is not only the largest of its kind at over 15,000 square miles in area, but also the first such reserve to cross an international border. At the core of the reserve is the University of Texas' McDonald Observatory, home to one of the largest telescopes in the world. McDonald Observatory has worked with surrounding communities for decades to promote better lighting practices to preserve our night skies, without requiring people to live in darkness. Stephen Hummel will discuss the impact of artificial light as well as the strategies that have led to the reserve's success.
Speakers: Stephen Hummel, University of Texas McDonald Observatory; Amber Harrison, International Dark Sky Association, Tucson
See weblink to attend.
Website: https://www.sfaa-astronomy.org/live-streamed-lectures/
Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95830904603?pwd=UDNKdm16US9wK1EremdJeGptdjNNdz09
meeting number 958 3090 4603 and password 116064 to join the meeting.
SFAA YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChuBJGp_iJYZ11q_ayA-q3A
SFAA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/152754481404310
Cost: Free
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Thursday, 08/18/22
09:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Chabot Space and Science Center
Virtual Telescope Viewing: the Return of Saturn
Stay up with Chabot Astronomers on a Journey to the sixth planet from the Sun, Saturn, also known as the “Jewel of the Solar System”!
Saturn is the second largest planet in our solar system, after Jupiter. Saturn is a “gas giant” composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, and is best known for the bright, beautiful rings that circle its equator. The rings are made up of countless particles of ice and rock that each orbit Saturn independently!
Join Chabot Astronomers on Thursday evening, August 18, for “The Return of Saturn,” an hour long virtual telescope viewing and tour of our neighbor.
Explore other exciting space objects, such as the Ring Nebula and the great globular cluster in Hercules.
Weather permitting.
See weblink for links to Facebook and YouTube
Website: https://chabotspace.org/calendar/virtual-telescope-viewing-the-return-of-saturn/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCarFXs-04xmdHW_PVc7LWRg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChabotSpace/events
Cost: Free
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Friday, 08/19/22 8:00 PM
Lick Observatory
7299 Mt. Hamilton Rd
Mt. Hamilton, CA 95140
Program Information:
7:00 pm Doors Open Brief Telescope Visits
8:00 pm Science Talk, Lecture Hall
History Talk, Great Refractor Telescope Dome
9:00 pm Science Talk (repeated), Lecture Hall
Telescope Viewings
10:00 pm History Talk (repeated), Lecture Hall
Telescope Viewings
12:30 am Doors Close
Evening with the Stars at Lick Observatory
Astronomy Speaker: Dr. J. Xavier Prochaska (UC Santa Cruz)
Tickets go on sale April 13 at noon. See weblink.
Website: https://www.lickobservatory.org/events/evening-with-the-stars/ews-2022-08-19/
Cost: $25 General
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Fri, August 19, 9:15pm – 11:15pm
San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA)
Houge Park
3972 Twilight Dr,
San Jose, CA 95124
In Town Star Party (ITSP)
Come join San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) for an evening of stargazing. Event details:Events are held at the parking lot of our headquarters,..
.
Website: https://www.meetup.com/sj-astronomy/events/285605852/
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Friday, 08/19/22 7PM
Telescope Makers Workshop
Chabot Space and Science Center
10000 Skyline Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94619-2450
See 08/12/2022 description above.
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Friday, 08/19/22 and Saturday, 08/20/22
07:30 PM - 10:00 PM--Free telescope viewings are back!
Chabot Space and Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd
Oakland, CA 94619
See 08/12/2022 description above.
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Saturday, 08/20/22
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Chabot Space and Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd
Oakland, CA 94619
Space Telescope Snapshots
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is more advanced than any telescope…ever. As the first images come back, we begin shedding light on some of the mysteries of the Universe. What are we learning? Why does it matter? Get an astronomer’s take on the latest images from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Join us every third Saturday of the month for Investigating Space as we explore and discuss the big topics in space exploration with some of the leading scientists and researchers in the Bay Area. In this new series Chabot Space & Science Center highlights the latest discoveries, science research and space missions.
Investigating Space is hosted by Chabot Museum Educator Maxwell Edmonds-Drati.
Website: https://chabotspace.org/calendar/space-telescope-snapshots/
Cost: Free with admission
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Saturday, August 20
Sunset: 7: 56 PM
San Mateo Co. Astronomical Society
Crestview Park
1000 Crestview Drive
San Carlos, CA
Public Star Partiesat 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
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Saturday, 08/20/22
07:00 PM - 12:30 AM
Lick Observatory
7299 Mt. Hamilton Rd
Mt. Hamilton, CA 95140
Program Information
7:00 pm Doors Open Brief Telescope Visits
8:00 pm Concert, Main Hall
9:00 pm Science Talk, Lecture Hall Telescope Viewings
10:00 pm Science Talk (repeated), Lecture Hall Telescope Viewings
12:30 am Doors Close
Music of the Spheres: Probing Heavy Element Formation in the Early Universe with Metal-Poor Stars in the Milky Way
Artist: The Black Cedar Trio
Astronomy Speaker: Charli Sakari, San Francisco State University
Tickets go on sale April 13 at noon. See weblink.
Website: https://www.lickobservatory.org/events/music-of-the-spheres/mos-2022-08-20/
Cost: $55 General, $95 Preferred
