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In cooperation with the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve and the , we are offering several astronomy-related programs this summer.
- Thursday, August 1, 9:30 p.m. Stargazing with Astronomer in Residence, Lauren Osburn. Bring your binoculars and meet outside the Library. See what the night sky has to offer!
Later in the month:
- Wednesday, August 7 at 5:00 p.m.: Lecture: “Revealing the Unseen: Deciphering Telescope Imagery,” with Astronomer in Residence, Lauren Osburn at the Library. If you have you ever wondered what exactly you are looking at when you see a new Hubble Space Telescope (HST) or James-Webb Space Telescope (JWST) image, join us to learn more! One of the most important factors to consider is the filters being used by the telescope. The most interesting filters are the ones that focus on the light we are unable to see with our eyes. For example, did you know Neptune has rings? Using JWST’s near-infrared camera, we were able to reduce the obscuration from visible light and obtain detailed images of Neptune and its exciting features. Lauren will take a dive into understanding telescopes and the beautiful and inspiring images they provide us with.
Ms. Lauren Osburn is a recent graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics. During her undergraduate studies, she gained interest in the possibility of extraterrestrial life within our solar system and the evolution and history of our universe. She also completed a research project to estimate the age of one of the oldest known globular clusters. Passionate about making the wonders and beauty of space accessible to everyone, she hopes to demystify astronomical concepts and inspire curiosity in learners of all ages. This summer, she serves as the Astronomer in Residence for the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve.