FEBRUARY PROGRAM SCHEDULE 2023
All ASLI Meetings Begin at 8:00 PM
IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM
February 1 – Observing February Skies, by Steve Bandel.
Using the Stellarium planetarium program, Steve will talk about objects of interest in the February skies and point out where they are located, using Stellarium. In addition based on the weather report, we expect to set up our telescopes and DO SOME OBSERVING after the regular presentation. So bring your telescopes and binoculars or look through ours.
IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM
February 8 – My Life as an Astronomical Journey, by Tony Pirera.
Tony’s journey in astronomy began when he was ten years old and with help from his dad, as a teenager, he built his first telescope. Years later after working in the optical coating industry, Tony started his own business, Spectrum Thin Films, an optical coating laboratory which has been successful beyond imagining. Tonight’s presentation will offer a more comprehensive look at telescope making and the creation of his optical coating laboratory. Tony will share the process of how optical filters for astronomy are designed and manufactured. Tony encourages members to bring their children because his story can be motivating.
IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM
February 15 – The Astronomical League Double Star Program – by Mark Sailer.
NOTE: This meeting will be held in the Planetarium. Please enter through the door 30 feet to the left of the main entrance to the Planetarium and come in to the planetarium through the back entrance.
Over the past 6 months, Mark has been working on the Astronomical League’s Double Star Program. This discussion will focus on the requirements of the program, and the resources needed to make the observations. Mark will discuss what he has learned about Double Star observing and earning of the award certificate. The discussion will go into what it took to get started, what’s involved and the hope that other will want to pursue this program.
Mark is currently retired from a career in IT, managing Data Centers and large computer systems for both financial companies and Cablevision. He has a BS in Management Information Systems and a background in Electrical Engineering. Mark has been pursuing astronomy for the last 5 years, trying out different aspects of the hobby. Mark has currently settled on visual observing with a focus on Double Star observing.
IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM
February 22 – My Journey in Astronomy, by Jessica Li. Jessica came to the Astronomical Society of Long Island when she was a junior in high school and said she wanted to learn to build a telescope! She went on to Stony Brook University where she majored in Engineering, Physics and Astronomy. While there the was an intern at Brookhaven National Laboratory, and later an employee at BNL after she graduated from Stony Brook. Come hear the story of her journey and learn where she is now.