St. Louis Astronomical Society Meeting - The Power of Star Gazing
Scott Roberts is a founder of Explore Scientific LLC, a marketer of amateur astronomy equipment. He is also a supporter of educational outreach in astronomy and space exploration, and popularizer of amateur astronomy. He founded the Astronomy Outreach network in 2000 to popularize and support individuals and organizations committed to educational public outreach in astronomy. He is one of NASA’s Solar System Ambassadors, a nationwide network of volunteers who present programs and activities about astronomy and planetary sciences to schools and the general public.
Our ancestors always looked to the clear night skies for information as well inspiration. For a hundred centuries, the Moon, planets, and stars were guides for hunting and farming cultures. For most people today, the lights in the night sky are not needed to guide everyday activities, but the beauty of the heavens remains as an inspiration – when we take the time to look up. As Mr. Roberts explains, “The Power of Stargazing is an attempt to articulate how humans feel when they have learned to understand the big picture of our place in the cosmos. Often people experience a profound feeling of being humbled as they glimpse an understanding the scale of the universe not only in age, but in size. This helps give them a new sense of perspective and can provide a renewed sense of purpose.”
The St. Louis Astronomical Society is an organization for individuals interested in astronomy and telescopes. The public is invited to attend its meetings, telescope observing sessions, and special events. For more information about Astronomical Society events, please visit www.slasonline.org or call 314-962-9231. The event, cosponsored by NASA's Missouri Space Grant Consortium at Washington University, is open to the public free of charge.