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Novice Presentation Via Zoom

Event Date

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“Celestial Mechanics”

with Justin McCollum

These days, it’s pretty common for amateur astronomers, given a specific time and date, and position on the Earth, to predict the positions of the planets and other solar system bodies against the backdrop of the stars with high precision. We do it on our devices so easily and so often, that its easy to take this capability for granted. The reality is that our ability to do this is the result of the science of Celestial Mechanics, which is the branch of astronomy which deals with the motions of objects in outer space, using the principles of classical physics and mathematical techniques to make these predictions.

Gaining a high level understating the motions of solar system bodies and what causes them, can enhance your observations of the planets, and also help you to understand the how comets and asteroids move through the solar system.

Speaker Bio: Justin McCollum is a long time member of HAS and is on the staff of Lamar University where he is the Physics Laboratory Coordinator.

To Register for Zoom Meeting: Since we're all practicing safe social distancing, we have decided to bring our speaker to you virtually through the Zoom online meeting platform! You must register for this presentation in order to attend. You may do so by using the link below: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckfuirpjMsHtXbaXi9BDdRCfCf1sYRepe3

Please watch your email, as you should also receive an email inviting you attend. The email will include any up to date changes (if any) on meeting times etc. You may also register using the link in the email, however it is only necessary to register once.  

We'll have the online chat feature available to us during the talk, and once the presentation is over, we can open up the audio lines for more questions.  I'm excited that this we're able to get together in this fashion, and I hope you can join us then.  We hope to see you online with us on Thursday evening September 9th!