Upcoming Events
The United Nations has designated 2009 to be the International Year of Astronomy in honor of the 400th anniversary of the first astronomical use of a telescope by Galileo and the formulation of the first two laws of planetary motion by Johannes Kepler.
Join the Cedar Amateur Astronomers and The University of Iowa's Department of Physics and Astronomy as they celebrate the IYA2009!
UI International Year of Astronomy events
Athens Star Party
NCRAL 2009 Convention
CAA Public Observing Nights
A young observer peers through the CAA's Celestron 16 telescope.
One Saturday eveninge each month the CAA hosts a Public Observing Night featuring a guest speaker followed by an evening of celestial viewing. After the presentation, society members will be available to answer questions and provide everyone with an opportunity to look through the Society's telescopes and those of our members.
Public observing nights are held at the Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center at Palisades-Dows Preserve through a generous agreement with the Linn County Conservation Department. For directions, please visit our maps page.
A schedule of 2009 Public Observing Nights (790kB pdf) is available for download. As soon as the complete list of speakers is arranged, this page will be upated to include each evening's presentation topic.
The Cedar Amateur Astronomers, Inc. is a participating member of NASA's Night Sky Network.
The 2009 Public Night Schedule
January 17, 7:30 p.m.
Telescopes in America
Presenter: Carl Bracken, Cedar Amateur Astronomers
This is the 100th anniversary of the 60-inch
telescope at Mount Wilson and the 60th anniversary of the 200-inch at
Mount Palomar. Carl will share his travels to these observatories as well
as Kitt Peak, Arizona, Griffith Observatory, California, and Mauna Kea, on
Hawaii’s Big Island where he observed the “world’s best sunset.”
February 21, 7:30 p.m.
A Tour of the Winter Sky
Presenter: Doug Slauson, Cedar Amateur Astronomers
The Winter Sky brings Orion the Hunter above
the eastern horizon along with clear skies and views of a many celestial
wonders for those hearty enough to brave the cold. From the warmth of the
Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center, Doug Slauson will take us
on a tour of the best that the winter sky has to offer.
March 28, 7:30 p.m. Cancelled due to Weather
Solving the Mystery of Heavenly Motion: The Life and Work of Johannes Kepler
Presenter: Brent Studer, Kirkwood Community College and Cedar Amateur Astronomers
The United Nations declared 2009 to be “The International Year of
Astronomy” and around the world scientists and the public will celebrate the 400th
anniversary of Johannes Kepler’s publication of his laws of planetary motion and
Galileo’s first use of the telescope to gaze at the heavens. Join us tonight to
learn about the dawn of modern astronomy and the birth of the Scientific Revolution.
April 3, 4, and 5, 9 – 11:30 p.m.
One Hundred Hours of Astronomy
Join the Cedar Amateur Astronomers as they support the International Year of
Astronomy's 100 Hours of Astronomy project. One of the key goals of 100 Hours
of Astronomy is to have as many people as possible look through a telescope as
Galileo did for the first time 400 years ago. Weather permitting, the Moon and
Saturn will provide good views for early evening observing.
April 25, 8 p.m.
Solving the Mystery of Heavenly Motion: The Life and Work of Johannes Kepler
Presenter: Brent Studer, Kirkwood Community College and Cedar Amateur Astronomers
The United Nations declared 2009 to be “The
International Year of Astronomy” and around the world scientists and
the public will celebrate the 400th anniversary of Johannes Kepler’s
publication of his laws of planetary motion and Galileo’s first use
of the telescope to gaze at the heavens. Join us tonight to learn about the
dawn of modern astronomy and the birth of the Scientific Revolution.
May 16, 8:30 p.m.
Edwin Hubble and the Expansion of the Universe
Presenter: Professor Philip Kaaret, The University of Iowa
Edwin Hubble a mid-westerner born in Missouri and raised in Illinois, made the
first measurements of the distances to galaxies. Hubble found that galaxies
are moving away from us with more distant galaxies moving away faster. This
was the first scientific evidence that the universe began at a particular
instant in time, what is now called the big bang. This talk will focus on Hubble,
his discovery, and its implications.
June 27, 9 p.m.
Galileo's Moon
Presenter: Doug Slauson, The Cedar Amateur Astronomers
When Galileo turned his new telescope
to the heavens, he was stunned to see the moon was strewn with
earth-like features including craters, mountains, valleys, and
plains. Galileo saw that many of the features cast shadows from
sunlight and the shadows changed as the days passed. These
observations by Galileo and others were the death-knell to the
Aristotelean view that the bodies in the heavens were perfect
spheres and marked the beginning of modern astronomy. Join Doug
as we explore the moon and recreate those observations made 400
years ago as we celebrate the International Year of Astronomy.
July 18, 8:30 p.m.
Star Clusters: Cities of Stars
Presenter: Professor Steven Spangler, The University of Iowa
One of the most obvious statements to make in astronomy is that the Sun is
alone in the sky. However, most stars occur in pairs, or even triplets. A
person on a planet in such a star system would see two or perhaps three stars
in the daytime sky. Stars also come in large groups called star clusters. An
observer on a planet in a star cluster would see the nighttime sky filled with
stars brighter than any in our sky. Dr. Spangler will describe what we know
about these star clusters, and why we know that the Sun was in one of them early
in its history. If it is clear there will have an observing session after the
talk in which some of the star clusters discussed can be seen.
July 25, 3 – 5 p.m.
Ways to View the Sun
Presenter: Carl Bracken, The Cedar Amateur Astronomers
Carl will explain the various telescopes available for
viewing the Sun including our H-alpha Telescopes. Solar observing will follow the
presentation weather permitting. Views of the Sun through an H-alpha Telescope is
a unique experience.
August 22, 8 p.m.
Topic and presenter to be determined
September 19, 7:30 p.m.
Topic and presenter to be determined
October 10, 7:30 pm.
Galactic Supernova Remnants: History and Current Research
Presenter: Professor Randall McEntaffer, University of Iowa
Dr. McEntaffer will discuss the astronomical phenomenon known as a supernova
remnant (SNR) and will provide a general overview of SNRs - what they are
and why we care. The presentation will then concentrate on a particular
type of SNR (Type II) and examples of these in our galaxy. Recent results
from studies of the "Cygnus Loop" supernova remnant will be presented.
November 7, 7:30 p.m.
Star Clusters in Galactic Centers
Presenter: Professor Cornelia Lang, University of Iowa
Dr. Lang will characterize the massive stellar clusters in our own Galactic center
and compare them to what is known about similar clusters in nearby galaxy centers. She
will also highlight new results on how stars near the Milky Way's center are organized
and formed and related to the supermassive black hole that lurks there.
IYA2009 @ The University of Iowa
The following series of talks will be held on the UI campus in Iowa City. All events begin at 7 p.m. in Lecture Room 1 of Van Allen Hall.
Visit the UI Physics and Astronomy IYA page for any additional details last-minute updates.
Wednesday, January 28
The Sun Since the Time of Galileo
Presenter: Professor Steven Spangler
Tuesday, February 17
The Physics of Astrophysics: The Universe on a Tabletop
Presenter: Mr. Dale Stille
Wednesday, March 25
The Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe
Presenter: Professor Robert Mutel
Wednesday, April 15
Finding Our Place in the Cosmos
Presenter: Professor Kenneth Gayley
Wednesday, May 6
Future Spacecraft Exploration of the Solar System
Presenter: Dr. William Kurth
Saturday, July 18
Title: To be announced
Presenter: To be announced
Note: This event will be held at the Eastern Iowa Observatory and Learning Center
Tuesday, September 2
Exploring the Ancient Climate of Mars
Presenter: Dr. Ingrid Ukstins Peate
Wednesday, November 11
Title to be announced
Presenter: To be announced
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Department of Physics and Astronomy in advance at (319) 335-1688.
Athens Star Party
Visit the Athens Star Parties web page for detailed information about this semi-annual event held at the Battle of Athens State Historic Site in Revere, Missouri. The dates for the 2009 events will be posted as soon as the become available.
2009 NCRAL Convention
Plan on attending the Astronomical League's North Central Region convention in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Co-sponsored by the Cedar Amateur Astronomers, check the NCRAL page for more information.
