OCTOBER PROGRAM SCHEDULE 2025
All ASLI Meetings Begin at 8:00 PM
ON ZOOM AND IN PERSON
Oct 1: Observing in the daytime by Frank Melillo
In broad daylight, there are other planets to look for besides the sun and even the moon. The inner planets Mercury and Venus spend more of their time closer to the sun while the outer planets can be easily seen at midnight. But certain planets need to be imaged in daylight to see specific details on their surfaces. Planetary imaging in broad daylight does sound unusual, but it has valid scientific and observational reasons behind it. Let’s unpack the scenario and understand why and when planetary imaging in daylight becomes not just possible, but sometimes necessary. Frank J. Melillo is a member and on the staff of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) and he is a Mercury coordinator. Frank has learned many ways of how to observe and image Mercury during daylight and other planets as well.
ON ZOOM ONLY
Oct 8: The Vera Rubin Camera by Steve Bellavia
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which uses the largest and most sophisticated astronomy camera ever built, will conduct a 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) to answer some of the most pressing questions about the structure and evolution of the universe and the objects in it. This talk will discuss the design, construction and use of the world’s largest digital camera, the heart of the Vera Rubin Telescope. The Rubin will rapidly scan the sky, using its 8.4 meter aperture optical telescope and 3.2 Gigapixel camera, designed to survey the visible sky every week down to a much fainter level than that reached by existing surveys. It will catalog 90 percent of the near-Earth objects and will find some 10,000 primitive objects in the Kuiper Belt. It will also contribute to the study of the structure of the universe by observing thousands of supernovae, both nearby and at large redshift. It will also measure the distribution of dark matter through gravitational lensing. Steven Bellavia is an amateur astronomer and telescope maker. He is an aerospace engineer who worked for Grumman Aerospace with the Thermodynamics Group of the Space Division. He had a key role in developing a nuclear rocket engine, and performed the analysis, design and fabrication of the micro-gravity liquid droplet radiator that flew on Space Shuttle mission STS-029. Steve has been at Brookhaven National Laboratory since 1992 and was the principal mechanical engineer for the camera on the Vera Rubin Prior to that, he was doing research and engineering for the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory. He is also an assistant adjunct professor of astronomy and physics at Suffolk County Community College. .
IN PERSON ONLY
Oct 15: A Journey Through the Planetarium Sky with Dave Bush
Join us for a captivating voyage across the night sky in the immersive setting of the Planetarium Theater. Our guide for the evening will be fellow club member and Planetarium Director, Dave Bush, who will lead a live exploration of the heavens using the Konica Minolta Infinium-L Star Projector—one of the most advanced optical star projectors in existence.
Together, we’ll trace the outlines of constellations and asterisms, uncover seasonal highlights, and delve into a variety of celestial wonders—all without ever leaving our seats. You’re welcome to bring binoculars to enhance your view, as well as a red flashlight to help preserve your night vision and to read the Star Maps that will be handed out.
This will be an interactive and informal session, where curiosity is encouraged and questions are welcome throughout. Whether you’re a veteran observer or just beginning to find your place in the cosmos, we invite you to share in this inspiring experience.
IN PERSON ONLY
Oct 22: Observing Night –
This is an ASLI Club Observing Night, open to everyone! We set up in the parking lot of the Vanderbilt Museum and the lights are turned off for us for the evening. Bring your telescope or binoculars to our public observing session, or look through our telescopes which we set up for everyone. We can show you some of the wonderful objects in the night sky during the evening. We will only have this observing session if there are perfectly clear skies, however. Check this website the day of this event before coming to the event, just to make sure it has not been cancelled because of weather.
IN PERSON
Oct 29: Spooktacular Star Party – CANCELLED BECAUSE OF WEATHER
On this special night, we will join the staff of the Reichert Planetarium for our first-ever Star Party public outreach event! The Vanderbilt Museum will be promoting the event through its social media and member list, so can we expect a large turnout if the weather cooperates. And since it is close to Halloween, we have given it a spooky theme. Select club members will be setting up telescopes to share views of the Moon, Saturn, and other celestial wonders. All club members are welcome to join in the fun. Please make note of the early start time. This night follows our regular observing night the previous week. Members are welcomed to continue viewing beyond 8:00 PM if they choose.
EXTENDED ASLI CLUB CALENDAR
