2017 < Main < TWiki

---+ Past Events from 2017

For a full description of past events with photos and video, see our blog at http://www.astro.caltech.edu/outreach/past/

---++++ Friday, January 13, 7-9PM
[[20170113][Lecture and Stargazing - The Universe through X-ray Eyes]]<br>
*[[Lecturer]]*: Fiona Harrison<br />
*[[LectureCaptain][Lecture Captain]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[LectureVolunteer][Lecture Volunteers]] (3)*: Astrid Lamberts, Masha Okounkova, Heidi Wu<br>
*[[TelescopeCaptain][Telescope Captain]]*: Erika Hamden<br />
*[[TelescopeVolunteer][Telescope Volunteers]] (4)*: Yuguang Chen, Anders Thygesen, Anna Ho, Ivanna Escala<br>
Back in Cahill.  Rainy the week before and cloudy until lecture start time.  Clouds at about 40% when stargazing occurred.<br>
North Field still under construction, so had one telescope on the sidewalk.  Low turnout presumably due to weather.<br>
50 attendees.<br>

---++++ Monday, January 23, 7:30-9:30PM
[[20170123][Astronomy on Tap @ Der Wolfskopf]]<br />
*[[AoTCaptain][MC]]*: Rahul Patel and Ricky Nilsson<br />
*[[AoTSpeaker][Speakers]] (2)*: Adric Riedel, Johanna Teske<br />
*[[AoTVolunteer][Volunteer / Panelist]] (2+)*: <br />
This event was written up and advertised in TimeOutLA the weekend before:<br>
 https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/blog/astronomy-on-tap-celebrates-science-and-booze-012017<br>
120 attendees.<br>

---++++ Friday, February 3, 7-9PM
[[201700203][Lecture and Stargazing - The Science of Star Trek]]<br>
*[[Lecturer]]*: Mike Wong<br />
*[[LectureCaptain][Lecture Captain]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[LectureVolunteer][Lecture Volunteers]] (3)*: Elise Cutts, Peter Gao, Cecilia Sanders<br>
*[[TelescopeCaptain][Telescope Captain]]*: Andreas Faisst<br />
*[[TelescopeVolunteer][Telescope Volunteers]] (4)*: Erika Hamden, Alex Urban<br>
Event got a lot of advertising on social media due to the topic.  Additional advertising done by speaker.<br>
Cloudy weather all day, with brief clearing before lecture, but ultimately no observing.<br>
Great turnout for lecture (140) as well as number of people who stuck around for Panel (60).<br>
Introduced anonymous demographic survey.<br>
140 attendees.<br>

---++++ Monday, February 13, 7:30-9:30PM
[[20170213][Astronomy on Tap @ Der Wolfskopf]]<br />
*[[AoTCaptain][MC]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[AoTSpeaker][Speakers]] (2)*: Louis Abramson, Anna Ho<br />
*[[AoTVolunteer][Volunteer / Panelist]] (2+)*: Leo Stein, Jeff Rich<br />
Event started off with a low turnout but grew over the first 30-45 minutes from 70 to about 100.<br>
Seven perfect scores on the quiz.  Tie breaker with mass of Sun in M_earth.  Will have to make quizzes harder!<br>
100 attendees.<br>

---++++ Friday, March 3, 7-9PM

[[20170303][Lecture and Stargazing - The Elusive Origins of Hot Jupiters]]<br />
*[[Lecturer]]*: Konstantin Batygin<br />
*[[LectureCaptain][Lecture Captain]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[LectureVolunteer][Lecture Volunteers]] (3)*: Antonija Oklopcic, Rob Zellem, Trevor David<br />
*[[TelescopeCaptain][Telescope Captain]]*: Andreas Faisst<br />
*[[TelescopeVolunteer][Telescope Volunteers]] (4)*:Kaew Tinyamont, Kirsten Larson, Lee Rosenthal, Andres Malagon<br>
Great turnout for lecture (140), observing (115), and Q&A (40).  <br>
Observing was first night on new North Fields artificial surface.  Stadium lights partially extinguished.<br>
Observed Moon, M42, and Mars.  No problems on field.<br>

---++++ Monday, March 13, 7:30-9:30PM

[[20170313][Astronomy on Tap @ Der Wolfskopf]]<br />
*[[AoTCaptain][MC]]*: Calen Henderson<br />
*[[AoTSpeaker][Speakers]] (2)*: Rachael Livermore, Jorge Moreno<br />
*[[AoTVolunteer][Volunteer / Panelist]] (2+)*: Andreas Faisst, Jessie Christiansen, Ron Tso, Cameron Hummels<br>
In addition to talks by Rachael and Jorge, we had Gary Blackwood from JPL lead a song of "The Exoplaneteers" between talks that really got the crowd going.<br>
Terrific turnout with 115 attendees.<br>

---++++ Friday, March 31, 8-10PM

[[20170331][Lecture and Stargazing - Why Stars Shine]]<br />
*[[Lecturer]]*: Robyn Sanderson<br />
*[[LectureCaptain][Lecture Captain]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[LectureVolunteer][Lecture Volunteers]] (3)*: Lee Rosenthal, Marianne Heida<br />
*[[TelescopeCaptain][Telescope Captain]]*: Erika Hamden<br />
*[[TelescopeVolunteer][Telescope Volunteers]] (4)*:Kaew Tinyamont, Yuguang Chen, Chris Bochenek<br>
Lecture attendance 100, observing attendance 90, panel attendance 35.<br>
Observing was clear with views of Moon, Pleiades, Orion Nebula, Beehive Cluster, and Jupiter.<br>

---++++ Monday, April 17, 7:30-9:30PM

[[20170417][Astronomy on Tap @ Der Wolfskopf]]<br />
*[[AoTCaptain][MC]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[AoTSpeaker][Speakers]] (2)*: Devin Silvia, Masha Okounkova<br />
*[[AoTVolunteer][Volunteer / Panelist]] (2+)*: Mislav Balokovic, Leo Stein<br>
75 attendees and lots of interaction between attendees and resident astronomers.<br>

---++++ Friday, May 5, 8-10PM

[[20170505][Lecture and Stargazing - Simulating the Galaxies of our Universe]]<br />
*[[Lecturer]]*: Andrew Wetzel<br />
*[[LectureCaptain][Lecture Captain]]*: Leo Stein<br />
*[[LectureVolunteer][Lecture Volunteers]] (3)*: Rahul Patel, Astrid Lamberts, Christine Corbett-Moran<br />
*[[TelescopeCaptain][Telescope Captain]]*: Andreas Faisst<br />
*[[TelescopeVolunteer][Telescope Volunteers]] (4)*: Adric Riedel, Lee Rosenthal, Mike Grudic, Eric Moseley<br>
115 attendees including a girl scout troop.  Weather was a bit spotty but still made it work.<br>

---++++ Monday, May 15, 7:30-9:30PM

[[20170515][Astronomy on Tap @ Der Wolfskopf]]<br />
*[[AoTCaptain][MC]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[AoTSpeaker][Speakers]] (2)*: Courtney Dressing, Leo Stein<br />
*[[AoTVolunteer][Volunteer / Panelist]] (2+)*: Calen Henderson<br>
100 attendees; technical difficulties with the speaker system so Courtney had to shout to be heard.<br>
Aside from that, everything else went well.  Audience happy overall.<br>

---++++ Friday, June 2, 8-10PM

[[20170602][Lecture and Stargazing - The Origin of the Elements]]<br />
*[[Lecturer]]*: Ivanna Escala<br />
*[[LectureCaptain][Lecture Captain]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[LectureVolunteer][Lecture Volunteers]] (3)*: Lee Rosenthal, Eric Moseley, Marianne Heida, Anders Thygesen<br />
*[[TelescopeCaptain][Telescope Captain]]*:Yuguang Chen<br />
*[[TelescopeVolunteer][Telescope Volunteers]] (4)*: Kirsten Larson, Andreas Faisst, Erika Hamden, Matt Orr<br>
120 attendees; everyone very enthusiastic!<br>
Everyone enjoyed viewing the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and M13.  Had ~40 people stay for Panel Q&A<br>


---++++ Monday, June 12, 7:30-9:30PM

[[20170612][Astronomy on Tap @ Der Wolfskopf]]<br />
*[[AoTCaptain][MC]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[AoTSpeaker][Speakers]] (2)*: Marianne Heida, Ron Tso<br />
*[[AoTVolunteer][Volunteer]] (2+)*: Calen Henderson, Allen Hovsepian, Max Millar-Blanchaer<br>
95 attendees, enthusiastic group and lots of mingling between astronomers and public.<br>
No A/V problems.  Best quiz was 8/10.  May have to ban repeat quiz winners from participating.<br>


---++++ Monday, July 3, 7:30-9:30PM

[[20170703][Astronomy on Tap @ Der Wolfskopf]]<br />
*[[AoTCaptain][MC]]*: Rahul Patel<br />
*[[AoTSpeaker][Speakers]] (2)*: Elena Murchikova, Erik Petigura<br />
*[[AoTVolunteer][Volunteer]] (2+)*: Marja Seidel, Jessie Christiansen, Allen Hovsepian, Calen Henderson, Leo Stein<br> 
110 attendees, lots of well thought out questions from the audience<br>

---++++ Friday, July 14, 8-10PM

[[20170714][Lecture and Stargazing - Understanding the Universe Using Gravitational Waves]]<br />
*[[Lecturer]]*: Astrid Lamberts<br />
*[[LectureCaptain][Lecture Captain]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[LectureVolunteer][Lecture Volunteers]] (3)*: Chris Bochenek, Maria Okounkova, Mike Grudic<br />
*[[TelescopeCaptain][Telescope Captain]]*: Lee Rosenthal<br />
*[[TelescopeVolunteer][Telescope Volunteers]] (4)*: Anders Thygesen, Jono Squire, Allen Hovsepian<br>
140 attendees, 40 of whom stuck around through the Q&A session.<br>
Observing went well, but they remained until 10:30 because lost track of time.<br>

---++++ Monday, July 31, 7:30-9:30PM

[[20170731][Astronomy on Tap @ Der Wolfskopf]]<br />
*[[AoTCaptain][MC]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[AoTSpeaker][Speakers]] (2)*: Tiffany Meshkat, Harish Vedantham<br />
*[[AoTVolunteer][Volunteer]] (2+)*: Lee Rosenthal, Leo Stein, Allen Hovsepian, Max Millar-Blanchaer<br>
100 attendees, ~150 solar eclipse glasses sold<br>

---++++ Friday, August 11, 8-10PM

[[20170811][Lecture and Stargazing - The Origin of the Universe and the Arrow of Time]]<br />
*[[Lecturer]]*: Sean Carroll<br />
*[[LectureCaptain][Lecture Captain]]*: Leo Stein<br />
*[[LectureVolunteer][Lecture Volunteers]] (3)*: Lee Rosenthal, Anders Thygesen, Astrid Lamberts<br />
*[[TelescopeCaptain][Telescope Captain]]*: Jessie Christiansen<br />
*[[TelescopeVolunteer][Telescope Volunteers]] (4)*: Mike Grudic, Allen Hovsepian, Max Millar-Blanchaer<br>
200 attendees, 120 for observing and over capacity for lecture.  Hand to turn people away at the door.<br>

---++++ Friday, August 19, 4:30PM-10:00PM

*[[20170819][Solar Eclipse Education -- Fossil, OR]]* <br />
*Coordinator*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*Volunteers*: Maria Pereira (U. Arizona), Colette Salyk (Vassar), Ian McGreer (U. Arizona), Neil Zimmerman (Goddard)<br>
100+ attendees for activities, 300+ attendees for lectures, 100+ attendees for observing (in a town of 446).<br>

---++++ Monday, August 21, 9AM-12PM

*[[20170821][Solar Eclipse -- click here for more info]]* <br />
*Coordinator*: Cameron Hummels, Kitty Cahalan, Jeffrey Nee<br />
*Volunteer Schedule* <br>
*9:00 - 10:00 (10+)*: Anders, Thygesen, Mike Grudic, Jono Squire, Chris Bochenek, Sebastian Kiehlmann, Roger Smith, Alyssa Barlis, Allen Hovsepian, Marcy Harbut, Mansi Kasliwal, Grant Bonesteele<br>
*10:00 - 11:00 (10+)*: Anders Thygesen, Mike Grudic, Jono Squire, Jason Guochao, Sebastian Kiehlmann, Roger Smith, Alyssa Barlis, Allen Hovsepian, Stephen Taylor, Marcy Harbut, Mansi Kasliwal, Grant Bonesteele<br>
*11:00 - 12:00 (10+)*: Anders, Thygesen, Mike Grudic, Jono Squire, Sebastian Kiehlmann, Jessica Krick, Allen Hovsepian, Stephen Taylor, Marcy Harbut, Mansi Kasliwal, Grant Bonesteele<br>
Enormous turnout of over 3000 attendees on Beckman Lawns.  Ran out of eclipse glasses by 9:15 leading people to share amongst the crowd.<br>
Huge line for the telescope, despite the fact that the solarscope and light funnel-enabled telescope were not too crowded and similar views.<br>
Beckman Institute auditorium was packed with people watching the NASA live-stream of totality across the USA.<br>
Generally everyone was very happy, and a very successful event.<br>
Video made by Caltech of the event [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGPNovvli2c&feature=youtu.be][here]]<br>

---++++ Monday, September 11, 7:30-9:30PM

[[20170911][Astronomy on Tap @ Der Wolfskopf]]<br />
*[[AoTCaptain][MC]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[AoTSpeaker][Speakers]] (2)*: Coral Wheeler, Anders Thygesen<br />
*[[AoTVolunteer][Volunteer]] (2+)*: Calen Henderson, Allen Hovsepian, Andres Malagon<br>
120 attendees.  Very enthusiastic crowd.  Packed to capacity.<br>

---++++ Friday, September 22, 8-10PM

[[20170922][Lecture and Stargazing - Where to find real time machines and how to use them]]<br />
*[[Lecturer]]*: Andreas Faisst<br />
*[[LectureCaptain][Lecture Captain]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[LectureVolunteer][Lecture Volunteers]] (3)*: Mike Wong, Cecilia Sanders, Dillon Dong, Leo Stein<br />
*[[TelescopeCaptain][Telescope Captain]]*: Kaew Tinyanont<br />
*[[TelescopeVolunteer][Telescope Volunteers]] (4)*: Marianne Heida, Allen Hovsepian, Anna Ho, Mia de los Reyes<br>
130 attendees, 50 stuck around for Q&A panel. Great talk and turnout.<br>

---++++ Saturday, September 23, 1:30-5:30PM

[[20170930][Science Train]]<br />
*Coordinator*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*Volunteers*: Chris Bochenek, Erik Petigura, Johanna Teske<br>
Made signs and plans at 1:30, boarded Gold Line at 2:00PM at Del Mar stop.<br>
We made teams of two and sat on different train cars with signs advertising our presence and availability.<br>
We went to the end of the line (Azusa), then boarded and went to the other end of the line (East LA), then came back to Del Mar.<br>
We interacted with ~30 people, talking about science and handing out flyers advertising our events.<br>
Many lessons were learned for our next iteration.<br>

---++++ Friday, September 29 7-9PM

[[SidewalkAstronomy][Sidewalk Astronomy]]<br />
*Coordinator*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*Volunteers*: Allen Hovsepian, Kirsten Larson, Andreas Faisst<br>
Amazing first sidewalk astronomy event with overwhelmingly positive response from members of the public.<br>
We interacted with ~250 people over the course of the <2 hours on the sidewalk at the intersection of Miller Alley and Colorado Blvd in Old Town Pasadena.<br>
Lots of enthusiasm at viewing Saturn and the first-quarter Moon, and over 100 flyers distributed for our schedule of events.<br>

---++++ Monday, October 9, 7:30-9:30PM

[[20171009][Astronomy on Tap @ Der Wolfskopf]]<br />
*[[AoTCaptain][MC]]*: Calen Henderson<br />
*[[AoTSpeaker][Speakers]] (2)*: Erika Hamden, Lamar Glover<br />
*[[AoTVolunteer][Volunteer]] (2+)*: Andreas Faisst, Allen Hovsepian, Cameron Hummels<br>
Biggest turnout to Astro on Tap so far with 160 attendees!<br>
Lots of enthusiasm and people were very attentive for the talks.<br>
We also had the Cassini Virtual Singers perform some Saturn-related Hamilton covers.<br>
Problems with the AV system in trying to get audio+visual+microphone all synced at the front--best to stick with the booth headquarters.<br>

---++++ Friday, October 20, 8-10PM

[[20171020][Lecture and Stargazing - Cosmic Fireworks]]<br />
*[[Lecturer]]*: Mansi Kasliwal<br />
*[[LectureCaptain][Lecture Captain]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[LectureVolunteer][Lecture Volunteers]] (3)*: Kishalay De, Anna Ho, Jamie Rollins, Maria Drout, Dillon Dong<br />
*[[TelescopeCaptain][Telescope Captain]]*: Marianne Heida<br />
*[[TelescopeVolunteer][Telescope Volunteers]] (4)*: Anders Thygesen, Michael Zhang, Mike Grudic, Allen Hovsepian, Mia de los Reyes<br>
Great turnout for the lecture with 150.  At least 60 people remained for Q&A.<br>
Prepared for overflow of lecture with livestreaming of lecture on back patio, but unnecessary.<br>
Observing was challenging due to no solar system objects and stadium lights left on.<br>

---++++ Monday, October 23, 7:30-9:30PM

[[20171023][Astronomy on Tap @ Der Wolfskopf]]<br />
*[[AoTCaptain][MC]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[AoTSpeaker][Speakers]] (2)*: Jamie Rollins, Nadia Blagorodnova<br />
*[[AoTVolunteer][Volunteer]] (2+)*: Eve Lee, Matt Orr, Louis Abramson<br>
130 attendees.  Strong turnout for being advertised with < 1 week notice.<br>
Audience was dead silent throughout both talks, and most stayed until the very end.<br>
Introduced a survey with our quiz and there was one perfect score.
Technical difficulties with linux on thinkpad getting projected to HDMI.<br>

---++++ Friday, October 27, 6:30-8:30PM
[[SidewalkAstronomy][Sidewalk Astronomy]]<br />
*Coordinator*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*Volunteers*: Jessie Christiansen, Dillon Dong, Rahul Patel, Andres Malagon, Mia de los Reyes, Kathryn Plant<br>
250 diverse attendees over the course of two hours.  Set up on Miller Alley and Colorado.<br>
Saturn viewable for one hour before setting. First quarter moon for whole time.<br>
Need "official" Caltech Astro banner to look official.<br>

---++++ Monday, November 6, 7:30-9:30PM

[[20171106][Astronomy on Tap @ Der Wolfskopf]]<br />
*[[AoTCaptain][MC]]*: Cameron Hummels<br />
*[[AoTSpeaker][Speakers]] (2)*: Cindy Hunt, Andres Plazas Malagon<br />
*[[AoTVolunteer][Volunteer]] (2+)*: Jono Squire, Mike Grudic, Allen Hovsepian, Jeff Rich<br>
120 attendees who were absolutely silent and attentive throughout both talks.<br>
Strong contingent of astronomers from Caltech, Carnegie, JPL, and Planetary Society (~30?)  Too many?<br>
Top quiz score only 6.5, so quiz too hard.<br>

---++++ Friday, November 17, 7-9PM

[[20171117][Lecture and Stargazing - Cosmic Lenses: Bending Light with Gravity]]<br />
*[[Lecturer]]*: Denise Schmitz<br />
*[[LectureCaptain][Lecture Captain]]*: Anna Ho<br />
*[[LectureVolunteer][Lecture Volunteers]] (3)*: Lee Rosenthal, Jono Squire, Mike Grudic<br />
*[[TelescopeCaptain][Telescope Captain]]*: Andreas Faisst<br />
*[[TelescopeVolunteer][Telescope Volunteers]] (4)*: Yuguang Chen, Dillon Dong, Cameron Hummels, Mia le los Reyes<br>
130 attendees.  Got part of the track lights turned off.<br>
Viewed M31, Albireo, and Double Cluster.<br>

---++++ Monday, December 4, 7:30-9:30PM

[[20171204][Astronomy on Tap @ Der Wolfskopf]]<br />
*[[AoTCaptain][MC]]*: Jessie Christiansen<br />
*[[AoTSpeaker][Speakers]] (2)*: Katey Alatalo, Jeff Rich<br />
*[[AoTVolunteer][Volunteer]] (2+)*: Rahul Patel, Cameron Hummels<br>
90 attendees.  12 Days of Astronomy song featuring Jessie Christiansen!<br>
This topic: Main > WebHome > PastEvents > 2017
Topic revision: r25 - 2017-12-05 - OutreachAdmin