1:00 pm, Saturday, February 9, 2013
Governors’ Board Room, Billy’s BBQ Restaurant

The Silver City Astronomical Society will present its February program on Saturday, February 9 at 1:00 pm in the Governors’ Board Room at Billy’s BBQ located at 2138 Hwy 180 East.  William (Bill) Wren, M.Ed., veteran astronomer with the McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis, Texas, will offer an absorbing program illustrating common-sense solutions for night lighting that saves energy, increases safety, and reduces light pollution.  He will also discuss how to speak to a neighbor who has an offensive light.

 Bill started work at McDonald Observatory in 1990 and was awarded time on the 30 and 36-inch telescopes to conduct searches for common novae in M31 and extragalactic supernovae.  He performed the site survey for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope the old-fashioned way, i.e., splitting double stars, and worked as its commissioning telescope operator.  He also helped design and build several unique instruments, including a wheelchair accessible telescope dedicated for public use at the observatory’s Visitors Center.

Bill’s program will cover the highly successful Big Bend National Park lighting project, current programs in Texas and elsewhere, and address ongoing research concerning the consequences of excessive lighting at night.  As always, SCAS programs are free to the public (though our host restaurant appreciates it if you order something), and we welcome families with children.  For more information, contact Kathy at silvercityofstars@gmail.com.