6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation

Title:  Seasonal Night Sky Objects

Speaker:  Mary Turner, PhD

Mary Turner, TAAA’s Chief Observer, takes us on a tour of the winter and early spring night sky. Mary’s use of astronomical data, images, and mythology brings the seasonal changes in the sky to life.

7:30 pm – Main Presentation

Title:  Forged in Fire: The Volcanic History of Mars

Speaker:  Dr. David Horvath from UA’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, is a planetary geophysicist investigating the interaction of processes acting on the surface and interior of terrestrial planets. His research focuses include Martian volcanism, the ancient hydrologic cycle of Mars, and the current methane-based hydrologic cycle of Titan. Dr. Horvath holds a PhD in Geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines.

Volcanism is widespread in the Martian geologic record, manifested as large shield volcanoes, extensive plains of flood basalts, and potentially global coverage of explosive volcanic ash. While most Martian volcanic activity occurred between  ~3 and 4 billion years ago and has generally decreased over time, isolated, young (<500 million years old) volcanism is observed. Dr. Horvath will discuss the geologic record of volcanism on Mars, focusing on some of the youngest volcanic surfaces and their implications for observations by the recent InSight Mars lander.

Due to the ongoing government shutdown, the AFSIG meeting for January has moved from the USGS building on campus, to ROOM 110 in the Education North Building at 1501 E Speedway Blvd (Google Maps). Parking in the area is free after 5PM, and parking lots are available to the east and west side of the building. A parking garage is located one block north Vine Ave and Helen Street (garage may have fees). I plan on arriving early to make sure signs are available to mark the room. 

*** SEE BOTTOM OF AFSIG MAIN PAGE FOR DETAILED LOCATION INSTRUCTIONS AND ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION. ***

Constellation of the Month:

Scutum

Presenter:  Gus Gomez

Gus Gomez will start the night with a talk about the constellation Scutum.

Main Presentation:

The Milky Way

Presenter:  Stephen Ferris

For our main topic, Stephen Ferris will be discussing The Milky Way.

Constellation of the Month:

Tucana

Presenter:  Stephen Ferris

Stephen Ferris will start the night with a talk about the southern constellation Tucana.

Main Presentation:

Star Atlases

Presenter:  Doug Smith

For our main topic, Doug Smith will be discussing Star Atlases.

NOTE DIFFERENT LOCATION FOR THIS MONTHS MEETING.

THIS MONTH ONLY we will meet in the Kuiper Building of Lunar and Planetary Sciences, 1629 East University Boulevard on the U of A Campus, just east of Flandreau Science Center. Room 308/Third Floor Auditorium (there is a ramp and elevator).

See Map

ALSO THIS MONTH, no one is signed up to bring refreshments so anyone who has time, PLEASE bring finger foods to share and put them on the table outside the auditorium.

6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation

Title:  Member’s Night

Speaker:  Various TAAA Members

If you would like to give a presentation, contact Mae Smith, ssmith@email.arizona.edu.

7:30 pm – Main Presentation

Title:  The Parker Solar Probe: NASA’s Mission to Touch the Sun

Speaker:  Dr. Joe Giacalone has been a Professor at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory since 1993. He is Co-Investigator on the ISOIS (Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun) instrument on the Parker Solar Probe. This instrument will measure high-energy charged particles accelerated by magnetic fields near the Sun. Dr. Giacalone holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Kansas.

The Parker Solar Probe is truly a mission of discovery.  Launched in August of 2018, this historic, seven-year mission has already flown by Venus, and made its first close pass of the Sun — closer to the Sun than any man-made object ever.  It will get even closer in the years ahead; as near as 3.8 million miles from the Sun’s surface. Dr. Giacalone will discuss the mission, its goals, and what we expect to discover about the Sun.