Virtual Moon over MT | Monona Terrace

Community Programs things to do in madison wi

2021 Track 1

Join Live Telescope Webinar

Live Telescope Feed (Alternative Programming)

Due to complete cloud cover over our two telescope locations (Madison, WI and Oak Park, IL) our LIVE telescope feed will be replaced with the following alternative programming.

7:30 – 8:00PM – Virtual Moon Tour
8:00 – 8:30PM – Telescope Clinic
8:30 – 9:00PM – Deep Space Tour
9:00 – 9:30PM – Virtual Moon Tour (REPEAT)

Virtual Moon Tour

In this session we will explore the Moon virtually through astrophotos taken by the presenter at different phases and different magnifications. We’ll start by getting oriented to the moon, and by examining some of its larger scale features. As we progress through some of the Moon’s phases, we’ll also explore some close-up views of the surface, and learn about its mountains and valleys, examine craters, and look for differences in color in different regions due to the different mineral composition. During a four minute viewing of high magnification video of the Moon along its terminator, we’ll dive deep into the complexity and beauty of the Moon close-up.

Presenter: Jeffrey Shokler, Facilitator: Laurence Mohr

Telescope Clinic (Telescope List PDF)

The telescope clinic will showcase several difference telescopes used by members of the Madison Astronomical Society. Learn how each telescope works and participate in live Q&A.

Presenters:
Jurgen Patau, Avtar Roopra, Carol Santulis, Kevin Santulis, Keith Swartz, Chris Zeltner

Deep Space Tour

In this session we’ll explore deep space through images I’ve captured on a new type of “smart telescope” over the past few weeks. We’ll view images of Neptune, star clusters, and galaxies far beyond our Solar System. I’ll talk about the science of clusters and galaxies as well as share how the “smart telescope” captures these images.

Presenter: Jim Sweitzer, Facilitator: Jeffrey Shokler

2021 Track 2

Join Sky Talk Webinar

Sky Talk (Virtual Planetarium Sky Show)

Presenter: Geoff Holt
Facilitator: John Rummel

Take a virtual tour of the night sky using sky simulation software. Two different 20-minute programs will be presented and repeated.

7:30-7:50 PM — Introduction to the Current Night Sky
8:00-8:20 PM — Going Deeper into the Current Night Sky
8:30-8:50 PM — Introduction to the Current Night Sky (repeat)
9:00-9:20 PM — Going Deeper into the Current Night Sky (repeat)

Introduction to the Current Night Sky
Join us to learn how to find planets and star patterns in the current night sky. Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus are easy to find in the early evening sky, but unless you know what you’re looking for, you might think they’re stars. We’ll teach you how to find star patterns like the Big Dipper, Summer Triangle, Autumn Square, and more. In this live interactive format, you’ll also be able to send questions to the presenters.

Going Deeper into the Current Night Sky
If you joined us for the introduction to the current night sky, or if you already know how to find the planets and the easiest star patterns, join us for this session as we explore some of the star patterns and constellations that are a little more challenging to find, and a few targets for binoculars and telescopes. We’ll provide tips to help you find them, but some will require that you find a darker sky.

2021 Track 3 informational and educational videos

2020 Pre Recorded Videos

Downloads

Make a Moon Phase Calculator

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Track 1 Biographies

Laurence Mohr is President of the Madison Astronomical Society board of directors. He has a degree in chemistry in 1992, and works in the contract research field as an analytical method developer. His hobbies include music, astronomy, astro-photography and family genealogy.

Jeffrey Shokler is a long-time member and past President of the Madison Astronomical Society (MAS), he has had a life-long interest in amateur astronomy. More recently he began doing astrophotography, and also enjoys doing science and astronomy outreach.

Dr. James Sweitzer has worked at Adler Planetarium, helped found the Center for Astronomical Research in Antarctica, was the former science project director for the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and directed DePaul University’s Space Science Center. In 2004, he launched a planetarium building and consulting firm and in recent years has taught astronomy and astrobiology at Columbia College Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Track 2 Biographies

Geoff Holt is the director of the Madison Metropolitan School District Planetarium. He has served as the director there for twenty-seven years, providing planetarium programs for about 20,000 preschool to adult visitors per year.

John Rummel is a long-time amateur astronomer, photographer and general-purpose science geek. John served as the president of the Madison Astronomical Society between 2010 and 2015 and has worked with the MMSD Planetarium as a sky guide for years.

Telescope Clinic Biographies

Jurgen Patau is a Board member and the Treasurer of the Madison Astronomical Society. He uses small portable telescopes for both viewing and photography.

Avtar Roopra is an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has been as amateur astronomer since the early 1980s.

Carol Santulis got her first telescope 10 years ago, a Celestron 8SE computerized telescope. That scope is still in use today and she has added a refractor, binoculars and astrophotography camera gear since then. Most of her astronomy is from her back yard. She also conducts Milky Way photography workshops for her photography club.

Kevin Santulis has been an amatuer astronomer for more than 10 years. He is currently the Vice President of the Madison Astronomical Society. He believes MAS is a great source for learning about the science of astronomy with monthly presentations on the physics, history and innovations in astronomy.

Keith Swartz has been interested in astronomy since childhood. He enjoys being involved in both the Madison Astronomical Society and the Iowa County Astronomers. He recently rebuilt his homemade telescope tube and mount so that it packs compactly and fits in his small car. During the day he is a mechanical engineer who saves energy in buildings.

Chris Zeltner is a long time member of the Madison Astronomical Society who loves to observe with her Dobsonian telescope with very little added technology.