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We All See the Same Moon
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About this event
In 1998 astronomers from around the world gathered in Cape Town, South Africa to explore the possibility of building the world’s largest optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. This course will trace the path of that project from idea to reality, set against the backdrop of the newly democratic South Africa, emerging from decades of brutal apartheid oppression. Science, technology, sociology, politics, and economics intertwined to produce opportunity, adversity, and eventual success. SALT — the Southern African Large Telescope — is today exploring the furthest reaches of the universe. We will consider the why, where, how, and who that made this possible, with some insights into the personal side of modern science and technology.
Instructor Theodore (Ted) Williams is Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy at Rutgers University and former Director of the South African Astronomical Observatory. He has a B.S. in physics from Purdue University and a Ph.D. in astronomy from the California Institute of Technology. Ted spent most of his career at Rutgers, where he pursued observational studies of galaxies and developed astronomical instrumentation, while teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in physics and astronomy. He has spent innumerable nights at telescopes around the world, including observatories in California, Arizona, Texas, and Hawaii, as well as Chile, China and South Africa, and an orbiting facility on the Space Shuttle (Ted stayed firmly on the ground). He has taught a number of astronomy courses for Coastal Senior College.
This course can be taken either in-person or on-line via Zoom - choose when you register.
In-person students must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to register for this course.
In-person students will follow the current mask policy of the course site.
If you want to register and are not yet a member, Click here for New Member Signup
Location
Zoom: link will be sent by email before first class
In-person: St. Andrews Episcopal Church
11 Glidden St
Newcastle, ME
USA
Event Contact(s)
Ted Williams
Instructor
Registration Info
Registration is required
Payment In Full In Advance Only
You must be an active CSC member to register for this course.
Cancellation Policy:
A member may cancel a course registration up to 3 days prior to the start of class and will receive a course credit that can be used for a future registration. No refunds will be given.
Capacity
25 Total Slots
9 Available Slot(s)
Invalid Quantity