Columbia Public Astronomy Night

[Amanda Quirk]

Join us in Pupin Hall at Columbia on Friday March 6 at 7pm in Pupin 301 for a talk by PhD candidate Meghna Sitaram on telescope development. (Poster attached)

Title: From the lab to the stars: Creating, commissioning, and collecting data with a new astronomical instrument

Abstract: “Astronomy relies on data collected from telescopes on the ground, in the atmosphere, and in outer space – but how are these tools made? In this talk, we’ll discover how telescopes and other instruments go from existing as an idea in someone’s head to becoming physical reality in the lab and then to collecting light from the cosmos. We’ll learn about a few instruments used to study galaxies in different ways, and how each step of the process – the design, development, and use – depends upon its scientific purpose. ”

We'll start the evening at 7pm with some astronomy trivia, followed by Meghna's talk and Q&A. From 8:10-9:10pm, we will be outside observing on campus (weather permitting). 

If you do not have a CUID or would like to bring someone who doesn’t have one, please follow the instructions and register here by March 4 midnight.