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2018 Spring Lecture Series |
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HUMANITY'S MESSENGERS:
REVELATIONS FROM THE OUTER SOLAR SYSTEM
For fifty years, mankind has been sending sophisticated robotic explorers to places humans aren't yet able to travel to in person...
Join us as we examine some of the most remarkable discoveries being made by the latest of Humanity's Celestial Messengers that are exploring the outer planets of our Solar System.
Each week we look at a different planet. We begin with a review of what our ancestors knew and thought (earliest observations and applications, folklore, etc.) and provide practical information about where, when and how to observe the planet for yourself. (Note that planet viewing opportunities are being planned for the David Dunlap Observatory this Summer). We then quickly review our modern understanding about each planet and what makes it special, setting the stage for our main discussion about the intended purpose and remarkable discoveries being made by spacecraft recently or currently exploring each planet.
No prior knowledge of astronomy or space research is assumed; all terms and concepts will be explained.
The EWTA discussions are a continuation of the well-received
"Evenings at the Observatory" lecture series program provided by the
lecturers while they were working for the University of Toronto at the
David Dunlap Observatory (DDO) in Richmond Hill, home of the largest optical telescope in Canada...
WE'RE THRILLED TO BE BACK !
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Program Schedule |
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Lectures
I. |
SATURN & Farwell to Cassini.
Last year, careening through the heavens at over 30 km every second, signals from the Cassini spacecraft came to an abrupt end at 7:55 am EDT on Friday, Sept. 15 as the stoic explorer began to burn up in Saturn's atmosphere. This demise was planned, to keep the nearly spent vehicle from accidentally crashing into any of Saturn's family of over five dozen strange and marvelous moons. We'll show some of the most beautiful images sent to us during the thirteen years Cassini was orbiting Saturn and discuss the science behind them, including the discovery that at least two of Saturn's moons may be teeming with Life that didn't originate on Earth.
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Apr.11 |
II. |
JUPITER & the JUNO Mission.
The Juno spacecraft arrived at Jupiter in 2017 and has completed its first 11 orbits about the Solar System's largest planet. Juno's primary mission is to discover what really resides at the very heart of the planet, which weighs more than 300 Earths and is composed mostly of hydrogen and helium. Jupiter's gravity pulls so strongly inwards that the hydrogen in Jupiter is predicted to be crushed into a superconducting metal. But is this really true? We'll discuss this and much more, including how amateur astronomers back on Earth are providing observations that are essential to the success of the Juno mission.
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Apr.18 |
III. |
PLUTO & the New Horizons Missions.
In 2015, the New Horizons spacecraft gave humanity its first close-up view of Pluto, a world so far away that the Hubble Space Telescope only ever sees Pluto as a tiny spot just a few pixels across! The revelations from New Horizons shows that Pluto and its moon Charon are much more interesting than we ever imagined! And the spacecraft is not done yet: it’s travelling an additional billion km to intercept and study another of these “Kuiper Belt Objects” on New Year’s Day 2019.
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Apr.25 |
IV. |
MARS & Curiosity.
The Curiosity rover has just completed its 2000th day roaming the surface of Mars exploring the rocks and soil of Gale crater and Mount Sharp while several spacecraft orbiting high above study the Martian atmosphere. They are all looking for signs of life. We'll examine the latest findings, as well as discuss the prospects for and worries about Humans going to Mars and living there in the near future. |
May 2 |
The two-hour weekly discussions are initially being offered on Wednesdays* from 7:00 - 9:00 pm starting April 11 at the David Dunlap Observatory, 123 Hillsview Drive in Richmond Hill (west of Bayview & south of Weldrick Rd.).
(* We are considering requests to provide these lectures on an additional
day of the week. Use the Registration Form to let us know that you would like to attend but can't come on Wednesdays.)
REGISTER ONLINE AT:
WWW.DDOD.CA/EWTA/ (click here)
Registration FEE: |
$125** + HST |
(i.e.- $141.25)
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(** See Registration form for discounts;
Fee includes light refreshments.)
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Enrollment is limited.
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