Speaking Engagements


I have been given the privilege of being asked to speak before live audiences at the following events during 2008. If you have the time or the interest, please plan to attend:

Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos
Museum Of Science and the Cosmos

    Galactic Ghosts
    with David Martínez-Delgado, IAC


    The galaxies that populate the Cosmos assumed their present form partially through a process of collision with other island universes. Evidence is mounting that galactic evolution was not confined to these spectacular events, however, because it is now believed that galaxies also grow and evolve by disrupting and absorbing smaller satellite galaxies. When a small galaxy is captured by the gravitational pull of a large spiral, for example, it can leave a thin, faint trail of dust, gas and stars as its orbit decays. Several star streams have been found surrounding the Milky Way and more have been discovered circling nearby galaxies, too. Their presence may also contribute to the slightly twisted appearance seen in many edge-on galaxies. This discussion will explain current results obtained by one of the world's leading galactic tidal stream researchers and describe the contributions possible by amateur-astronomers.

    April 4, 2008
    La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

  • NorthEast Astro-Imaging Conference
      Scientific Aesthetics

      Most consider that science and art are pointed in opposite directions and that neither can coexist with the other. In reality, science often inspires art and art often explains science. Therefore, there exists a deep, mutual dependency. Astro-photographers stand at a cross-roads between these two disciplines- data used for scientific purposes can also form the basis of beautiful deep space imagery that can capture the viewer's imagination. This presentation will describe the differences between techniques required to produce research-grade images and methods that use the same data to produce a pretty picture which can stimulate scientific curiosity.

      April 24th- 25th, 2008
      Rockland Community College, Suffern, NY

      Read Sky & Telescope's comments.

  • Midwest Astro-Imaging Conference
      A Recipe for Eye Candy

      The only thing better than creating an interesting image is to produce a picture that viewers consider memorable. This requires the use of a few common ingredients that should be included in any astro-photographer's imaging pantry- clarity, composition and saturation. This presentation will discuss simple techniques that leverage each aspect individually (and in combination) to turn a less than satisfying data set into something delicious for even the most discriminating eye tooth!

      June 20- 21, 2008
      Hoffman Estates, IL


  • Below are 2007 meetings and conferences where I had the privilege of speaking.

  • San Francisco Amateur Astronomers
      Postcards from the Universe
      March 21, 2007
      7:30 PM
      at the Randall Museum
  • Mount Diablo Astronomical Society
      Remotely Possible
      August 28, 2007
      at the Concord Police Association Facility located at 5060 Avila Road in Concord
  • Peninsula Astronomical Society
      Remotely Possible

      September 14, 2007
      Foothill College
      Los Altos Hills, California
      Room 5015
      7:30PM
  • 2007 East Coast Conference on Astronomical Imaging  (Meeting Cancelled!)
      Remotely Possible
      September 28-30, 2007
      at the Renaissance Philadelphia Hotel- Airport
  • 2007 Advanced Imaging Conference

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