Events Calendar

Free and Open to the Public 

In-person and via Zoom

Ask for the Zoom link via info@vtastro.org

VAS Members will be emailed the Zoom link

The in-person will be at the Brownell Library on 2A near 5-Corners in Essex Junction.
 
The intention is to stream the main speaker and presentation via Zoom for those who choose to attend remotely. If you don't have Zoom installed, the application will automatically download and install when you click the link.  Or go to Zoom.us to download the interface application.

Note:
The meeting starts at 7:30 pm, but you can join starting at about 7:15 or 7:20 PM to give you time to connect and work out any issues.

Safe Solar Visual Observing:
Solar Filters - Part 2
By Gary T. Nowak

There will be 3 sections:

The First Section will cover various types of solar filters. This will include the 3 types of White Light Filters and the 4 types of Special Narrow Band Filters. White light filters are used on telescopes and binoculars while the Narrowband filters are used on telescopes only.  These are often called Aperture or Objective filters because they go on the front of the telescope.  The use of the Welder’s Glass as a solar filter will be covered. There will be a review of some of the unaided eye filters that are available for the general public (called eclipse glasses and viewers).

The Second Section will look at various homemade (specialized) Solar Telescopes which can be used to safely look at the Sun. Almost all of these homemade telescopes have fallen out of favor and are rarely seen or used any more.

The Last Section will cover the unsafe “Ad Hoc” so called “solar filters” which will damage your eyes. One has to be careful about some of the information posted on the Internet.  The materials used to make these “Ad Hoc” “solar filters” are unsafe and should be totally avoided.

Following the main presentation, our recurring monthly presentations will include Constellation of the Month  by Terri Zittritsch

Free and Open to the Public 

In-person and via Zoom

Ask for the Zoom link via info@vtastro.org

VAS Members will be emailed the Zoom link

The in-person will be at the Brownell Library on 2A near 5-Corners in Essex Junction.
 
At this time the library policy is that attendees of group meetings at the library must continue to wear masks. That policy may change over time, so watch for announcements.
 
The intention is to also stream the main speaker and presentation via Zoom for those who choose to attend remotely. If you don't have Zoom installed, the application will automatically download and install when you click the link.  Or go to Zoom.us to download the interface application.

Note:
The meeting starts at 7:30 pm, but you can join starting at about 7:15 or 7:20 PM to give you time to connect and work out any issues.

Stardust in Maine: Finding Micrometeorites on a Rooftop
By Jon Wallace (The speaker will be remote)

Micrometeorites are some of the oldest matter known. About 100 tons per day hit our Earth and yet, very few have been found outside of Antarctica, a few deserts and the deep ocean… until 2015, when Jon Larsen from Norway discovered the first “urban” micrometeorite. Since they are tiny (only a few times the width of a hair!), they are difficult to find, but Jon Wallace, a local scientist and educator, was intrigued and started looking in 2017. Using the protocol developed by Jon Larsen in 2016, he found his first two micrometeorites in his roof gutters.
Come view his images of micrometeorites found in Maine and discover what micrometeorites are, how they are found, how they can be photographed, how to identify them, and what we might learn from these most ancient visitors to our planet.

Bio:
Jon Wallace has a passion for geology which began with a third-grade teacher’s excitement about the subject. Since then, he has pursued a degree in Geology from the University of Connecticut and then other degrees in the physical sciences. He was an award-winning high school science teacher in Meriden, Connecticut for over 32 years. He is past president of the Connecticut Association of Physics Teachers and was an instructor in Wesleyan University’s Project ASTRO program. He has managed the Naugatuck Valley Community College observatory and run many astronomy classes and training sessions throughout Connecticut and was chosen a NASA Solar System Ambassador several years ago. He began collecting meteorites in the 1980’s, while running observation sessions, as a program to use when weather didn’t cooperate and found his passion for geology re-ignited. He has collected many specimens as well as thin sections for study and education. Currently, he is searching for and has found micrometeorites in various locales around Maine and is receiving analysis help from Colby and the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum. Other interests include optical and radio astronomy, raising arthropods (“bugs”), fossils, and insectivorous plants. Jon has a BS in Geology from the University of Connecticut; a Master's Degree in Environmental Education from Southern Connecticut State University and a Certificate of Advanced Study (Sixth Year) in Science (Astronomy) from Wesleyan University. He currently lives in Maine and gives free presentations in schools, libraries and other venues in the Freeport area.

Following the main presentation, our recurring monthly presentations will include Constellation of the Month  by Terri Zittritsch

Free and Open to the Public 

In-person and via Zoom

Ask for the Zoom link via info@vtastro.org

VAS Members will be emailed the Zoom link

The in-person will be at the Brownell Library on 2A near 5-Corners in Essex Junction.
 
At this time the library policy is that attendees of group meetings at the library must continue to wear masks. That policy may change over time, so watch for announcements.
 
The intention is to also stream the main speaker and presentation via Zoom for those who choose to attend remotely. If you don't have Zoom installed, the application will automatically download and install when you click the link.  Or go to Zoom.us to download the interface application.

Note:
The meeting starts at 7:30 pm, but you can join starting at about 7:15 or 7:20 PM to give you time to connect and work out any issues.

2 Mini Talks

Apollo 17 and 50 years
By Jim Bosek

A brief look back at Apollo 17 and highlights of US manned space exploration since.  Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz, the Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station.  What worked and what was mainly abandoned.  A quick look in the crystal ball at what the future may hold.

Deep Sky Images from Stellafane 2022
By Steve Grimsley
Only one night, Saturday, was ideal for images.  I captured two medium field areas of the sky with multiple objects in each.  The constellations where these images were taken are Cepheus and Cassiopeia.  A few images captured before this year’s Stellafane are also included.

Following the main presentation, our recurring monthly presentations will include Constellation of the Month  by Terri Zittritsch