Saturday – May 17, 9:30-11:00am
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The history and recent developments of the kind of telescope made famous by Isaac Newton – the Newtonian Reflector. We will begin the discussion from the perspective of the great Newton in the 1600s with his humble 1 1/2″ reflector, then journey through time to the present day, when amateur astronomers can often be seen in fields with telescopes large enough to rival or often surpass the size and quality of many professional observatories. We will focus on how the telescope is built, from the choice of wood to the installation of advanced electronics, finishing the discussion with what they are ultimately able to show us.
People interested in learning more about telescopes are invited to attend the free Junior Cafe presentation on Saturday, May 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) in Syracuse’s Armory Square. Walk-ins are welcome, but we ask that people RSVP by emailing jrcafe@tacny.org by May 14, 2014.
Presenters
Ryan E. Goodson became fascinated with astronomy after seeing a meteor-turned-fireball streak across a wheat field in Wichita, Kansas in April of 2005. This led to an early involvement in amateur astronomy that quickly turned into an obsession. Since that time he has spent countless hours studying telescope design, structural engineering, and optics in order to perfect what has become the large and small truss-style telescopes he manufactures today as the owner of New Moon Telescopes in West Monroe, NY.
Ryan founded New Moon Telescopes in July of 2012 and has since sold and shipped telescopes throughout the U.S. and abroad. His fledgling company was the cover feature in the June/July 2012 issue of Astronomy Technology Today magazine. Ryan’s new collapsible truss design for Dobsonian-style telescopes was also highlighted in the August 2013 edition of Sky & Telescope. Ryan is currently the treasurer of the Syracuse Astronomical Society and the secretary of CNY Observers & Observing, serving in both organizations as a star party coordinator and public lecturer on astronomy equipment and observing. He can usually be found observing through one of his creations on that rare night of clear skies here in Upstate NY.
TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique
TACNY Junior Cafe Scientifique, a program for middle-school students founded in 2005, features discussions about topics in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in an informal atmosphere and seeks to encourage students to consider careers in these areas. Students must be accompanied by an adult and can explore the MOST at no cost after the event.
Technology Alliance of Central New York
Founded in 1903 as the Technology Club of Syracuse, the nonprofit Technology Alliance of Central New York’s mission is to facilitate community awareness, appreciation, and education of technology; and to collaborate with like-minded organizations across Central New York.
For more information about TACNY, visit www.tacny.org.
There are those who celebrate the arrival of the autumnal equinox more than the vernal equinox! Many amateur astronomers anxiously await the cold, crisp, and long nights of winter. Some of the very best astronomical sights one can observe from CNY are awash in daytime light during the spring and summer, leaving observers to wait for Earth to make it one half-revolution around the Sun again before preparing their hats and gloves for nights outside. Modern technology has made amateur astronomy a 24-hour hobby for those with an internet connection, meaning even the bitter cold need not keep you from seeing – or studying – the Milky Way and beyond. This talk will be divided into nighttime winter observing and a survey of citizen astronomy projects.
