Astronomy Fundamentals

Location: Streamed online.

eVscopes are small, portable telescopes that integrate a color camera and an on-board computer with the telescope optics. They are controlled over WiFi by smart phones and can share directly to other phones. eVscopes are quick to setup even for novices. They locate and track faint objects within minutes in light-polluted conditions too.

Though primarily designed for the amateur astronomy and astrophotography market, eVscopes are likely to appeal to even less technically sophisticated space enthusiasts. They are also potential game-changers for astronomy education and citizen science projects because their observing sessions are easy to share in real time over the internet.

During this talk, Jim will discuss the workings of an eVscope and what it’s like to use. In addition he will show a few highlights of over 100 observing sessions from his back yard in Oak Park over the past two years.

Jim received his Ph.D. from the U. Chicago in Astrophysics. He worked at the Adler Planetarium directing the astronomy department and later helped found the Center for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica. He later directed the renovation project which led to the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. In 2004, Jim launched SCC, Science Communications Consultants, a firm that consults on the building and renovation of planetariums around the world most recently in Shanghai, China and Washington, D.C.

This event is open to the public and free of charge.