The Members-Only Star Party scheduled for Saturday October 9 is CANCELED, due to unfavorable weather forecast.

LVAAS General Meeting

 

Sunday November 14, 7:00 p.m. 

--- Meeting will be held on-line ---

 

The Search for Life in the Outer Solar System

Jonathan I. Lunine

David C. Duncan Professor in the Physical Sciences; Chair Department of Astronomy, Cornell University

Jonathan Lunine is the David C Duncan Professor in the Physical Sciences and Chair of the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University. He is interested in how planets form and evolve, what processes maintain and establish habitability, and what kinds of exotic environments (methane lakes, etc.) might host a kind of chemistry sophisticated enough to be called "life".  He pursues these interests through theoretical modeling and participation in spacecraft missions.  He is co-investigator on the Juno mission now in orbit at Jupiter, using data from several instruments on the spacecraft, and on the MISE instrument for the Europa Clipper mission.  He is on the science team for the James Webb Space Telescope, focusing on characterization of extrasolar planets and Kuiper Belt objects.  Lunine has contributed to concept studies for a wide range of planetary and exoplanetary missions. Lunine is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and has participated in or chaired a number of advisory and strategic planning committees for the Academy and for NASA.

 

 

A meeting invitation will be emailed to all members.

Prospective new members who wish to attend the meeting should email membership@lvaas.org.

 

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Event Updates

The state of Pennsylvania has decided to lift many pandemic restrictions as of June 28th. In line with this change LVAAS has decided to open up some activities for its members.

The BOG has approved the following activities for LVAAS Members Only at the South Mountain site:

  • Star Party September 11th 7 p.m.
  • Star Party October 9th 7 p.m. CANCELED
  • Star Party November 13th 7 p.m.

Note: These events will be held for LVAAS Members Only with the following restrictions:

  •  No restrictions for people who are vaccinated. Masks and Social Distancing are recommended but not mandatory for persons who have not been vaccinated.
  •  While the building will be open to use the bathroom and look around, the Star Parties will not have Planetarium Shows, and there will be No Speaker Presentation. The Red Shift will not be open for limited service (including hot beverages!)
  • Observatories that are open will have alcohol swabs available to wipe down the equipment and viewers will only be allowed in the building one at a time. Others are asked to wait outside the Observatory until it is their turn.

 

—    LVAAS    —

THE LEHIGH VALLEY AMATEUR ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY -- 620B East Rock Road -- Allentown, PA 18103 -- 610-797-3476 -- www.lvaas.org

WELCOME!

Founded in 1957, the Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society (LVAAS) is one of the oldest continuously-operating amateur astronomy organizations in the U.S. The mission of LVAAS is to promote the study of Astronomy and to maintain a meeting space, observatories, and a planetarium.

LVAAS operates two astronomy sites: The South Mountain site in Salisbury Township is the headquarters of the Society. It has a planetarium with a Spitz A3P projector, a 21 foot dome, meeting space, the Red Shift store, library, workshop space, and three observatories. The Pulpit Rock site near Hamburg is LVAAS's members-only dark sky site. At 1600 feet above sea level, the site features five observatories and a pad for member's scopes.

Members who receive training on the scopes may obtain keys to the observatories. LVAAS also maintains a rental "fleet" of telescopes that members may rent at low cost. Members also receive access to The Observer, our online newsletter, as well as reduced subscription prices to Sky and Telescope and Astronomy Magazine. If you want to learn more about astronomy and LVAAS, please join us at our next public star party.

 

South Mountain Clear Sky Chart  image

Pulpit Rock Clear Sky Chart         image