LAS Meeting on April 17

The Longmont Astronomical Society will meet 7 to 9 pm in the Community Room (Rm #1480-82) at the Front Range Community College, 2190 Miller Drive, Longmont, CO on April 17th, 2008.

Dr. Peter Nelsen, a physicist working at the High Altitude Observatory division of the Earth and Sun Systems Laboratory, NCAR, will discuss the "Yerkes Myth" and his group's proposal to build a 1.5 meter F/5 refracting telescope to study the Sun's corona. Refracting telescopes are generally regarded as not suitable for aperatures larger than 1 meter because the lens deforms under its own weight and ruins the image quality. His team has analyzed both the historical record and optical design of the Yerkes 1 meter refractor and found this claim to be totally without merit. Dr. Nelson will also discuss the advantages of refracting telescopes and the wonders of modern glass.

Meeting Agenda
7:00 to 7:10 pm Announcements
7:10 to 8:10 pm Presentation by Dr. Nelson
8:10 to 8:30 pm Break
8:30 to 9:00 pm Business meeting