Saturday, April 15, 2023
Presenter Tom Polakis
Title: “Astroimages: More Than Just Pretty Pictures”
Astronomical imaging has made great strides in the past decade alone. Often, the emphasis is placed on the sharpness of stars and the trueness of colors. But is that all there is to see? In his presentation, Tom will dig deeper into his images and videos to show such features as the influence of the earth's atmosphere, effects of geometry and perspective, and distances and velocities, typically using no more than high school-level math. Pictures really are worth a thousand words.
Tom Polakis has been an active amateur astronomer for 45 years, during which has seen Saturn circle the sun 1½ times. His main interests involve visual observing of all astronomical phenomena, and imaging of same with equipment ranging from a phone to a backyard observatory. He has a particular interest in describing the universe as an ever-changing entity. His writing and photography have regularly appeared in magazines such as "Astronomy" & "Sky & Telescope," and more recently has been an author or co-author in refereed astronomical publications.
CAS Monthly Meetings and Astronomical Programs are held the
Saturday closest to the Full Moon at the Mars Hill Campus of
Lowell Observatory, Hendricks Center for Planetary Studies
Auditorium (6:45 pm - 8:00 pm)., unless otherwise noted) followed
by refreshments, and informal discussion. Meetings are open and free
to the public.
