Calendar

Astronomy Events in Northern California

What was the AANC Calendar may be replaced by: Night Sky Network (NSN) Calendar and AANC on Meetup

Eastbay Astronomical Society Calendar below (compiled by Kenneth Lum):

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Monday, 05/12/25

03:30 PM - 04:30 PM

Attend in person or watch online (See weblink)

Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC) Colloquium Series

2575 Sand Hill Rd, Building 51

Kavli Auditorium

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Website: https://colloquium.slac.stanford.edu/events/2025-04-21-ai-revolutions-observational-

astronomy

Zoom: https://stanford.zoom.us/j/99059550878?pwd=i0RafsVo4HugDdmhibWAIBAMNWw0RF.1#s

uccess

Cost: Free

AI (R)evolutions in Observational Astronomy

AI and machine learning have found applications in many fields, and astronomy is no exception. But

while some see AI as an overhyped toy and others as an existential threat, astronomers have been

using it for a while, out of necessity. With an overwhelming influx of data, these tools provide

essential automation to facilitate discovery in observational astronomy. I will argue that

multiple evolutions are underway, and at least one true Revolution.

In this talk I will walk through a few of these evolutions: from early, rudimentary classifiers to the AI-

driven brokers that now manage the firehose of transient alerts. I I will show how anomaly detection

algorithms and self-supervised methods ??" capable of extracting patterns without labeled training

data ??" are enabling meaningful discoveries in imaging, spectroscopic samples, and time series. I

will also discuss what I see as a true Revolution: how the reasoning models that power chatbots are

bound to affect society while reshaping how we do science.

Speaker: Dovi Pozananski, Tel Aviv University

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Tuesday, 05/13/25

03:30 PM - 04:30 PM

In-person

Hewlett Teaching Center

370 Jane Stanford Way, Room 201

Stanford University

Stanford, CA 94305

Website: https://physics.stanford.edu/events/applied-physicsphysics-colloquium-xinting-yu-exploring-

nature-habitable-sub-neptunes-lab

Cost: Free

Exploring the Nature of Habitable Sub-Neptunes: From Lab to Theory

Sub-Neptunes, planets ranging in size between Earth and Neptune, are the most abundant type of

exoplanets discovered to date. However, their nature remains enigmatic, as no such planets exist in

our Solar System. Sub-Neptunes are hypothesized to be either bloated terrestrial planets (“super-

Earths”), miniature giant planets (“mini-Neptunes”), or perhaps something in between, such as

“water worlds.” Of particular interest are temperate sub-Neptunes, which hold significant potential for

habitability.

This talk will present recent theoretical advances combining photochemical modeling with modern

geochemical tools to investigate the nature of temperate sub-Neptunes. Case studies will include

models applied to new JWST atmospheric characterization data for systems such as K2-18 b, TOI-

270 d, and LHS 1140 b. Ongoing laboratory efforts aimed at deepening the understanding of these

intriguing and puzzling worlds will also be discussed.

Speaker: Xinting Yu, University of Texas San Antonio

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Tuesday, 05/13/25

06:00 PM - 07:30 PM

In-person

Hacker Dojo

855 Maude Avenue

Mountain View, CA 94043

Website: https://aiaa-sf.org/event/tech-talk-artemis/

Cost: Free lecture, cost for optional food

From Photons to Ions: The Electric Heart of the Artemis Lunar Space Station

Presented by Jordan Gormaly and Ian Johnson, Maxar Space Systems

Join the AIAA San Francisco Chapter for an exciting presentation from Maxar Space Systems

engineers Jordan Gormaly and Ian Johnson, who will give an inside look at the Power and

Propulsion Element (PPE) spacecraft ??" the first vital component of NASA’s Lunar Gateway, a key

part of the Artemis program to return humans to the Moon.

Designed and built by Maxar, the PPE is a cutting-edge spacecraft that will provide solar electric

propulsion, power, and communications for the Gateway, which will serve as a lunar outpost orbiting

the Moon (A Lunar Space Station!). Jordan and Ian will break down the innovative technology

behind the PPE, the engineering challenges of operating in deep space, and how this spacecraft

will support future crewed missions to the lunar surface ??" and beyond.

Whether you’re a space enthusiast, student, or aerospace professional, this talk offers a unique

opportunity to hear firsthand how industry is contributing to the next era of human space exploration.

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Thursday, 05/15/25

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Livestream

SETI Live

WATCH ON YOUTUBE!: https://www.youtube.com/live/hLw4olNyBng

WATCH ON FACEBOOK! : https://www.facebook.com/events/3400364020101012/

Website: https://www.seti.org/event/cookbook-life

Cost: Free

SETI Live: A Cookbook of Life: How Chemistry Might Explain Life on Other Planets - Livestream

What if the origin of life isn’t a one-in-a-billion cosmic fluke, but something that happens whenever

the conditions are just right?

Join communications specialist Beth Johnson as we explore groundbreaking research from the

University of Wisconsin - Madison, where scientists have identified over 270 self-replicating chemical

reactions that may have sparked life, not just on Earth, but potentially anywhere in the universe. Led

by astrobiologist Dr. Betül Kaçar, this study reframes our understanding of how life can emerge from

simple chemistry.

Discover how these "chemical recipes" might reveal a universal pattern for life, help us search

distant planets more effectively, and bring us one step closer to answering one of humanity’s biggest

questions: Are we alone?

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Thursday, 05/15/25 6:00 PM

Livestream

See weblink for connection information

Night Sky Network

Website: https://astrosociety.org/get-involved/events/event/2025/05/15/nsn-webinar-series-placing-

worlds-and-suns-in-context-with-dr-eric-mamajek/522297

Cost: Free

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq96EXyNtj0

Placing Worlds and Suns in Context - Livestream

Speaker: Eric E. Mamajek, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

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Friday, 05/16/2025 7PM

In-person

Telescope Makers Workshop

Chabot Space and Science Center

10000 Skyline Boulevard

Oakland, CA 94619-245

For more information call or email Richard Ozer at richozer1@gmail.com or phone (510) 406-1914.

The Chabot Telescope Maker's workshop reopens! Chabot's TMW is one of only a handful of

regularly scheduled telescope making workshops in the U.S., and probably the world; it meets every

Friday evening throughout the year, except Memorial Day weekend. It has been in operation since

December of 1930, founded by Franklin B. Wright, and is currently run by Eastbay Astronomical

Society member Rich Ozer, with help from other EAS members, Dave Barosso, Barry Leska, and

others. The price of admission is FREE. All you have to do is show up, buy a mirror blank and a

"tool" (typically around $100 - $200 depending on the size of the mirror) and start "pushin' glass!"

We supply you with instruction, the various grits you'll need to first grind, and then polish and figure

your mirror, and all the testing equipment needed. With a small bit of luck, you could wind up with a

telescope that costs 1/3 or 1/4 the cost of a store-bought telescope, that is yet optically superior! It

does take time - depending on how much time you put in on it, and other factors, it could take a few

months.. But, it's a fun project, great for kids, and at the end you get a great telescope!

Enter from the main loading dock behind the main building.

If you have a project, bring it with you so we can assess next steps.

You can also bring any other equipment or literature you may have

questions about.

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Friday, 05/16/25 9PM-11PM for night observing and Saturday 05/17/25 10AM-12 Noon for solar

observing

In-person

Foothill Observatory

12345 El Monte Road

Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

Websites: https://foothill.edu/astronomy/observatory.html

and https://pastro.org

Foothill Observatory now Open EVERY clear Friday night and Saturday morning

The Foothill College Astronomy Department and Peninsula Astronomical Society (PAS) have

reopened public viewing programs at Foothill College Observatory on:

· Every clear Friday night from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. for star gazing

· Every clear Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon for solar viewing

ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES

The COVID and masking policy for visiting Foothill Observatory is the same as that of Foothill

College per their Health & Safety information:

1) Vaccinations are required

2) masking is strongly encouraged.

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Friday, 05/16/25 and Saturday 05/17/25

07:30 PM - 10:00 PM

In-person

Chabot Space and Science Center

10000 Skyline Blvd

Oakland, CA 94619

Website: https://chabotspace.org/events/free-telescope-viewings/

Before your visit:

• Check humidity on our Weather Station: https://chabotspace.org/weather-station/

• Check cloud cover using the live view webcam of the Center: https://ops.alertcalifornia.org/cam-

console/2578

Free Telescope Viewings

Join Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for a free telescope viewing! Weather permitting,

this is a chance to explore stars, planets and more through Chabot’s historic telescopes. Chabot’s

three large historic telescopes offer a unique way to experience the awe and wonder of the

Universe. Our observatory deck offers breathtaking views 1,500 feet above the Bay. Three

observatory domes house the Center’s 8-inch (Leah, 1883) and 20-inch (Rachel, 1916) refracting

telescopes, along with a 36-inch reflecting telescope (Nellie, 2003).

Are the skies clear for viewing tonight? Viewing can be impacted by rain, clouds, humidity and other

weather conditions. Conditions can be unique to Chabot because of its unique location in Joaquin

Miller Park. Before your visit, check out the Weather Station to see the current conditions at Chabot.

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Saturday, 05/17/25

09:15 PM - 11:15 PM

In-person

Rancho Canada Del Oro Open Space Preserve

4289 Casa Loma Rd

Morgan hill, CA 95037

Registration required (at weblink). See weblink for additional information.

Website: https://www.meetup.com/sj-astronomy/events/304990709/

Cost: Free

Starry Nights Star Party

Join the San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) and Santa Clara County Open Space Authority

(OSA) for an unforgettable night of exploring the night sky. Our knowledgeable docents, members of

SJAA, will be your guides to providing valuable insights into the wonders of our universe. The

viewing site, Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve, is just 30 minutes south of downtown

San Jose, and features darker skies than viewing from the city. It's dark enough to see the band of

our Milky Way galaxy during the Summer months.

Gather with fellow space fans for an evening under the stars as we set up telescopes for an up-close

experience viewing interesting objects in the nighttime sky. Connect with amateur astronomers and

space enthusiasts to share in the excitement of observing the night sky in all its splendor. You

may even see a meteor or satellite passing overhead. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn

more about the heavens above or a seasoned stargazer seeking to deepen your knowledge, this

event promises to spark curiosity and awe for the wonders of our cosmic backyard. Come join us for

a star party that will leave you inspired by the beauty and science of astronomy.

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Monday, 05/19/25

07:30 PM - 08:30 PM

In-person and recorded

Hewlett Teaching Center

370 Jane Stanford Way, Room 201

Stanford University

Stanford, CA 94305

Website: https://physics.stanford.edu/events/2025-robert-hofstadter-memorial-lecture-professor-

steven-cowley-fusion-energy-why-how-and

Cost: Free

Fusion Energy: Why, How and When

In a remarkable public lecture in 1920, Arthur Eddington speculated that fusion might become the

ultimate long-term energy source. More than a century later, the world is approaching a milestone:

generating electricity from fusion for the first time. The National Academies have recommended that

“the Department of Energy and the private sector should produce net electricity in a fusion plant

in the United States in the 2035??"2040 timeframe.” This is an ambitious goal??"but recent

breakthroughs in both magnetic and inertial fusion, combined with a surge of private-sector

investment, suggest that success may be within reach. This presentation outlines the progress

achieved so far and the challenges that lie ahead.

Speaker: Steven Cowley, Princeton University

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Tuesday, 05/20/25

03:30 PM - 04:30 PM

In-person

Hewlett Teaching Center

370 Jane Stanford Way, Room 201

Stanford University

Stanford, CA 94305

Website: https://physics.stanford.edu/events/applied-physicsphysics-colloquium-steven-cowley-

stability-when-do-plasmas-explode

Cost: Free

When do Plasmas Explode?

Magnetized plasmas??"both in nature and in the laboratory??"frequently erupt in sudden, dramatic

events that release large amounts of energy and disrupt confinement. This poses a serious

challenge for magnetic fusion concepts, as gigajoules of energy can be unleashed in fractions of a

millisecond, potentially damaging structural components and reducing the operational lifetime of

fusion devices. In this talk, the speaker will explore the instability mechanisms behind these events

and demonstrate that plasmas are often metastable. Triggering such a metastable state provides a

clear pathway to explosive behavior, a phenomenon that is evident in the so-called edge localized

modes (ELMs) observed in fusion experiments. The talk will conclude with proposed strategies to

mitigate or avoid these damaging explosive events.

Speaker: Steven Cowley, Princeton University

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Tuesday, 05/20/25

05:30 PM - 09:00 PM

In-person and Livestream

SETI

Computer History Museum

1401 N Shoreline Blvd

Mountain View, CA 94043

Please join members of the Board, many of the scientists, and supporters of the SETI Institute at the

The 2025 Frank Drake Award Ceremonies

(from 6:30 - 9:00 pm, with special guests and commentary for those joining us on line.)

Website: https://www.seti.org/event/2025-drake-awards

and

https://drakeaward.seti.org/

Cost: $15 Virtual, $125 individual in person

For more information, and to reserve tickets, go to: https://drakeaward.seti.org/

Frank Drake Award Gala

For those coming in person, your ticket includes a cocktail reception, a gala seated dinner, special

activities, and a chance to rub elbows with some of the leaders in the search for life in the

universe. Among them will be Institute founder Dr. Jill Tarter; Board member Avery Wang, the key

developer of the Shazam music app; science writer Nadia Drake; Apple Senior Vice President, John

Giannandrea; SETI scientist Seth Shostak, and many others.

The Drake Award, honoring the Father of SETI, Frank Drake, is the world's premier prize highlighting

the science that helps us understand the prevalence of life in the cosmos. This year’s winners are

both pioneers in our understanding of how life on Earth began. Dr. David Deamer (U of California,

Santa Cruz) has proposed that life may have begun in fresh-water hot-springs and not the oceans,

and has suggested a mechanism by which cell membranes might have originated. Dr. John Baross

(U of Washington) is a world leader in our understanding of life in extreme environments and one of

the originators of the field of astrobiology.

Past winners of the Drake Award include Nobel Laureate Charles Townes, planet modeler Victoria

Meadows, Kepler Mission leader William Borucki, Harvard’s Paul Horowitz, and the late Frank Drake

himself.

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Friday, 05/23/25

09:15 PM - 11:15 PM

In-person

San Jose Astronomical Association

Houge Park

3972 Twilight Drive

San Jose, CA 95124

Website: https://www.meetup.com/sj-astronomy/events/304995637/

Cost: Free

In Town Star Party

Come join San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) for an evening of stargazing.

Event details:

• Events are held at the parking lot of our headquarters, Houge Park San Jose. The event

duration is 2 hours. SJAA volunteers will share night sky views from their telescopes.

• Please refrain from bringing your own telescopes (Binoculars are welcome). If you like to

be a volunteer with or without a telescope please email at "itsp@sjaa.net".

• SJAA as an all volunteer-nonprofit org depends on the City of San Jose to use facilities at

Houge Park. To maintain this relationship, we must provide facility-use data to the city. Therefore,

we ask you to sign in (no traceable personal data collected) when you arrive at the event.

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Friday, 05/23/2025 7PM