The Sept. 3 San Juan Stargazers educational meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with a social hour of visiting and snacks. The educational part will begin at 7 p.m. and will last until around 8:30 p.m., with a special discussion section starting at about 8:10 p.m. to end the evening.
The meeting will take place in the fellowship hall of the Community United Methodist Church, located at 434 Lewis St. Please use the side entrance.
The topic for September and October will be “Mind-Blowing Black Holes.”
This is one of two topics in astronomy that has many, many more questions than answers.
We don’t know a lot, but in September we will study information from the Great Courses to get a background on what has been known for a while. We will have one of the best astronomers present a lecture on video and then spend as much time as is needed to study and dissect the information he presents.
Then, with that information in our minds, in October we will study much of the newest discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope.
We certainly haven’t learned much more about black holes, but we have learned enough to ask some new, amazing questions. A small group of astronomers are asking about the possibility of our, meaning our galaxy, being inside a black hole.
You might be asking why are we doing this. So far we have seen some beautiful discoveries of the James Webb. There are some other discoveries that are mind blowing, but why not take a little time to look at the most difficult discoveries? Challenge yourself to try this with us.
We may all leave the programs more confused than when we arrived, but that is the wonder of astronomy. This is a subject perhaps beyond human understanding.
We especially want to invite our high school students. We have an astronomy teacher and astronomy classes offered at our high school. We also, as always, want to invite families who want to have more to talk about at the dinner table.
If you have questions or want more information check, out our website, sanjuanstargazers.org.
We hope to see you on both Sept. 3 and Oct. 1. By coming, you will be welcomed as a brave person and rewarded with an ice cream treat.
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