General Meeting – June 2019

NOTICE – NEW LOCATION!

6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation

Title:  Kitt Peak Expanded Night Programs & Docent Opportunities

Speakers:  Robert Wilson is the Nighttime Programs Coordinator for Kitt Peak Visitor Center, a member of TAAA since 2000, and a former TAAA Star Party Volunteer Coordinator. Gigi Giles is the new Volunteer & Membership Coordinator for Kitt Peak Visitor Center, and also a TAAA member.

Robert Wilson will talk about the exciting new night time programs at Kitt Peak for all levels of interest and expertise in astronomy. And Gigi Giles will speak about current opportunities for enthusiastic docent volunteers to lead daily tours of Kitt Peak’s telescopes.

7:30 pm – Main Presentation

Title:  A History of the MMT Observatory; 40 Years of Innovation and Discovery

Speaker:  Dr. Grant Williams is an astronomer and the current Director of the MMT Observatory on Mt. Hopkins, in Arizona. He holds a B.A. in Physics from the University of Buffalo (New York) and a PhD from Clemson University (South Carolina). Dr. Williams has been employed at the MMT Observatory since 2002, and began his appointment as its Director on January 1, 2011. His main research focuses on the study of high mass stars and supernovae.

The MMT telescope, located on Arizona’s Mount Hopkins, has been in operation for nearly four decades. During this time, the MMT has been a leader in developing new techniques and technologies for large observatories. The MMT was originally built with six 1.8 meter mirrors, and began operating in 1979 as the third largest telescope in the world. As castings of large mirrors became more possible, the array of small mirrors was replaced by one 6.5 meter mirror, which saw first light in 2000. With the MMT currently celebrating 40 years of astronomical usage, Dr. Williams presents the telescopes greatest innovations, both in design and in discoveries.