Astronomy Under Schoodic Skies

-- About the Course -- You are invited to come along on a journey, a journey as endless and as timeless as the universe itself; a journey through the history of space and time, vividly unfolding in a kaleidoscope of dazzling imagery and color. A week-long "star trek" has been planned for you at Oceanside Meadows Inn, from June 20-26, 1998. Originally the retreat of a 19th century sea captain, it is now being fashioned into a launching facility for the study of our environment, both near and far. Consider this journey an expedition into our macro environment, a cosmic adventure focusing first upon the near: the Earth, the Moon, and the solar system, then expanding to the limits of our Milky Way Galaxy. The sojourn is also not merely about knowledge, but about delving into the processes of how this knowledge is obtained and how it is understood. Astronomy Under Schoodic Skies is designed for the participator. If you choose to navigate the seas of this high adventure, you may be put in charge of operating a telescope in Europe or California, or the one we’ll have available for you in Oceanside Meadow’s backyard. There will be thought games and experiments. You will be challenged to probe, investigate, manipulate, question, and maybe even reject information about the universe in which you live. This course is also about balance; time to learn and time to relax in the pristine beauty of Downeast Maine. Presentations will occur in the mornings with afternoons and early evenings free to explore the Schoodic Peninsula and its boundless treasures. One of the days will be set aside as totally free for more in-depth traveling or simply to unwind by the beach in the warmth of the pleasant Maine sun. Nights will be reserved for stargazing under black Schoodic skies, or if cloudy, exploring other areas of celestial interest. When you depart Oceanside Meadows for your own home ports, you will have gained an insight into the thoughts and techniques which continue to fashion astronomy into one of the most aesthetic, dynamic, and captivating of all of the sciences. -- About Your Instructors -- Dr. Alan Hale and Gary A. Becker Alan Hale was born in Japan in 1958, but moved with his family to Alamogordo, New Mexico later that year, where he lived until his graduation from high school in 1976. He then attended the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and after graduating from there in 1980 with a Bachelor's Degree in Physics, he was stationed at various assignments in San Diego and Long Beach, California. After his discharge from the Navy in 1983, he worked for two-and-a-half years as an engineering contractor for the Deep Space Network at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and was involved, among other projects, with the Voyager 2 encounter with the planet Uranus in 1986. Later that year, he left JPL and returned to New Mexico in order to attend graduate school at New Mexico State University. He earned his Ph.D. in Astronomy from NMSU in 1992, and during the following year he founded and became Director of the Southwest Institute for Space Research. Now based in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, the Institute is an independent research organization which strives to enhance the scientific literacy of the general public by providing opportunities for direct participation in research programs and through other educational activities. Dr. Hale's professional interests include the study of stars, like the sun and the search for other stellar systems, including those which may contain planets similar to Earth. He has authored several research papers in this field. He is also interested in the present efforts to identify potential Earth-impacting asteroids and comets, and is currently engaged in initiating a search program for these objects to be conducted from southern New Mexico, and which will include participation by school students and the general public. At the same time, he is actively involved in the promoting of space exploration and the development of commercial space operations. In addition to all this work, he has been an active amateur astronomer for most of his life and is a well-known observer of comets, having seen over 200 of these objects during the past 25 years. During the course of this endeavor, he assisted the International Halley Watch during the return of Halley's Comet in 1985-86, and was co-discoverer of Comet Hale-Bopp in July 1995. In addition to his published research papers, Dr. Hale has written numerous scientific articles for the general public. His articles have appeared in Astronomy, the Astronomical Calendar, Free Inquiry, the Skeptical Inquirer, and Space News. He writes a weekly column on astronomy and space for the Alamogordo, New Mexico Daily News and occasionally writes articles for distribution by Singer Media Corporation. He has also recently authored Everybody's Comet: A Layman's Guide to Comet Hale-Bopp (High-Lonesome Books, 1996). Dr. Hale presently resides in the Sacramento Mountains outside Cloudcroft, New Mexico, with his wife, two sons, a dog, and a cat. When he is not engaged in his astronomical pursuits, he enjoys hiking, running, swimming, listening to rock music, and watching football. Gary A. Becker was born in Allentown, PA in 1950. He has had a life-long interest in astronomy which can be traced back to elementary school. His decision to become an educator promoted an interest in planetariums which led to his becoming director of the Allentown School District Planetarium, a position he has championed for the past 25 years. He holds a MA from West Chester University with concentrations in astronomy and geology. Gary has taught across the entire spectrum of learning abilities and age groups, from pre-school to graduate classes, and has escorted school and private groups to distant places to view spectacular astronomical events, such as total solar eclipses and comets. A trip to the Southwest in 1997 to view Comet Hale-Bopp led to his association with Alan Hale. Gary holds the belief that the process of learning should be an enjoyable one, and that mutual respect between teacher and students is absolutely essential for the free flow of information. In 1993 when the Allentown School District Board of Education tried to close his facility because of District monetary problems, Gary Becker successfully rallied the support of the local community and became self-funded. Since that time, he has continued to raise the yearly capital necessary to keep his program not only viable, but expanding during a time period when most of the other local planetarium operations have been curtailed or terminated. His association with Oceanside Meadows Inn arose when he and his wife, Susan, wanted to vacation at the Inn in December of 1996. Oceanside Meadows was closed to guests, but not to a visit and the exchange of ideas. The dialogue which resulted from this interview and a subsequent visit in July of 1997, resulted in the formulation of Astronomy Under Schoodic Skies and the invitation of Alan Hale to join the staff. The proceeds generated by this seminar will go to support the future operation of Gary’s planetarium back in Allentown, PA along with Alan Hale’s Southwest Institute for Space Research in Alamogordo, NM. Gary and his Star Theater, along with Albert Einstein, can be seen in a picture on the left. Michael Stump, 18, is currently a first year student at Villanova University northwest of Philadelphia, where he is majoring in astronomy, an interest which he has had since 4th grade. He has been a volunteer at the Allentown School District Planetarium for the past five years, and is currently a member of three amateur astronomical societies in Pennsylvania. He recently returned from the Caribbean, where he viewed his first total solar eclipse on February 26, 1998. He also traveled to the Southwest in 1994 to view the annular eclipse of May 10th. He holds the firm belief that anything is possible and that science is a major tool in determining what is reality. Mike will be assisting both Gary and Alan during the course instruction and during the observing sessions in the evening.