Astronomy-Astrophysics at Georgia Tech

10/10/2024

04/18/2024

Dear Astronomy Enthusiasts,

Last week it was a Total Solar Eclipse and this week is a GT Public Night. It is our final one for this academic year -- PUBLIC NIGHT at the Georgia Tech Observatory tonight, Thursday (April 18) from 8:30 to 10:30pm.

Our primary targets are the Moon, Jupiter, and the Orion Nebula. (It is not sufficiently dark until about 9pm to see the nebula.) I might try to find a star cluster, too.

Weather forecast is for partly cloudy skies and hot temperatures -- mid-80's!

Thanks for your support this past year. After Thursday, our next event should be in September.

04/05/2024

A nice article about the 10 year anniversary of the Aloha Telescope. Jim's telescope in Hawaii.

It’s been 10 years since the Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, successfully launched the astronomy outreach program called Aloha Explorations at the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing

04/02/2024

Astronomy Club on the News!

Students with the Astronomy club and Physics club will load buses to travel to see the solar eclipse in totality.

10/26/2023

GT Observatory Friends,

I am excited about this Thursday's Public Night (October 26) from 7:30 to 9:30pm.

We will view the Moon, Saturn, and (by about 8:30) Jupiter!

The weather forecast is for rather clear skies and the high will be 78 F.

We should have a great time.

If you need driving directions or want to check on updates, the web-sites are

https://astronomy.gatech.edu/

https://astronomy.gatech.edu/Observatory.php

I look forward to seeing you.

Jim

10/13/2023

GT Observatory Friends,

I have held off sending this email reminder due to the current rainy weather. But tomorrow it is supposed to be partly cloudy on its way to becoming clear in the evening -- besides, we are looking at the Sun so I anticipate we can see the partial solar eclipse.

We will have eye-safe telescopes set up in the usual places on the grounds near the Howey Physics building. Our telescopes are safe and several are specifically designed for looking at the Sun. We will be open from 11:30 to 3:00-ish. The eclipse begins at 11:45, the peak is around 1:15, and ends about 2:45. At the peak, about 51% of the Sun's disk is obscured by the Moon.

If you want further information about the eclipse, I was interviewed by two weather services -- their animations are quite good.

The Weather Channel
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1__TBA8UFRr3sHZdjsDFJK-xNLM9RswoO/view

11 Alive
https://www.11alive.com/article/tech/science/how-to-view-2023-solar-eclipse-georgia/85-315b695e-d442-4617-93a6-972024f38438

GT Astronomy
https://astronomy.gatech.edu/

There is no home football game, so parking should be easy (corner of Ferst and State Streets). Hope to see you tomorrow.

Jim

09/18/2023

Dear GT Observatory Friends,

I have doubly good news!

(1) Our Public Nights are returning this Thursday evening (September 21) from 8 to 10pm.

(2) The weather forecast is looking very good.

Some of the details (which have not changed):

a. The event is free and open to everyone (there is a small parking fee at the Visitor Lot).

b. Parents know their children best, but experience indicates they should be at least five years old to appreciate the viewing through the telescopes.

b. There will be about five telescopes set up on the grounds around the Howey Physics Building on the opposite side of the parking lot.

c. If there are updates due to poor weather, you will find information on our websites at

https://astronomy.gatech.edu/ and https://astronomy.gatech.edu/Observatory.php

d. The primary targets of interest are the Moon and Saturn.

Hope to see you there!

Jim

02/02/2023

Tips for Delightful Stargazing in 2023
Public Nights begin at the Georgia Tech Observatory.

Stargazers are invited to the Georgia Tech Observatory to view celestial events this semester. The first Public Night (weather permitting) is Thursday, Feb. 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. on the grounds between the Howey and Mason Buildings. Several telescopes will be set up for viewing, or you may bring your....

02/02/2023

Jim Sowell was interviewed:

The comet will make its closest pass to Earth Feb. 1.

11/30/2022

A friend of the GT Observatory sent this picture of the erupting volcano from the Mauna Kea Visitor's Center.