Category Archives: astronomy

Astro-Socializing in Seattle

The scene at an AAS meeting always follows the same script of activities. The first day, we all arrive, get settled into our hotels, and then head over to the “venue” to get registered and visit with folks we haven’t seen maybe since the last AAS meeting. Then, the first night is taken up with a reception that features finger food and booze. The running joke is that it’s always listed as “hors d’oeuvres not to be construed as dinner.” And, it’s usually a LOT of great finger food. Tonight’s AAS reception was no different — but it’s the first time I’ve EVER seen lobster macaroni and cheese on the bill of fare. It was amazing.

CCP at the Space Needle in Seattle
CCP at the Space Needle in Seattle
Seattle from the top of the Space Needle
Seattle from the top of the Space Needle

Well, hey. Astronomers gotta eat, too. And, it’s hard work catching up on the latest missions, observations, class work, research, etc. with our colleagues.I decided to take a little time before everything got started to see a bit of Seattle. Peter Michaud (the PIO for Gemini Observatory) and I decided to walk over to the Space Needle, (the quintessential landmark of this city).

It gets pretty windy and cold up there this time of year, but does afford a nice view of the city. That visit was followed by a nice pizza and some root beer, before we headed back to the convention center. I had volunteered to help Peter set up the Gemini exhibit (and since I do a lot of editing and some writing for their observatory press releases, web releases, and other publications (they’re one of my most faithful clients)), I figured it would be fun to help out.

StarStryder and the BadAstronomer greet each other
StarStryder and the BadAstronomer "greet" each other
The Gemini/NOAO PIO outfit
The Gemini/NOAO PIO clan

After that, it was time for the infamous AAS reception (mentioned above), where I ran into Phil Plait (the Bad Astronomer) and Pamela Gay, who is the astro-brains behind Astronomy Cast. We all geeked out in fannish admiration of each other, although as you can see below, some admired more than others (as Phil and Pamela demonstrated willingly for the camera).

Starry-eyed in Seattle

I’m off to Seattle for the American Astronomical Society meeting! I already know there’ll be some big astronomy news released during the meeting, from new maps of the universe to new facts about neighboring stars and galaxies to a peek at an unusual set of quasars. I’m going to try blogging more actively from the meeting than I have in years past, posting more digital images along with the links to stories that I post.
While I was out running around today picking up last-minute travel needs, we happened to drive past an interesting scene on the side of the road. There was a police car, lights flashing, parked up behind a beat-up older car. Two teenage girls (possibly 17 or 18) were leaning against the guardrail, their arms across their chests and looks on their faces that telegraphed their feelings of “OH ****!” as they watched the police officers go through the stuff in their trunk. Was it a speed trap they ran across? Nope. They were obviously distressed at having been caught driving with a beer keg in the back of their car.

Old-fashioned I may be, but I couldn’t help but wonder at sad scene, thinking that these young ladies should have a) been in school, and b) been studying the wonders of the universe instead of getting caught with beer they were too young to have. What a waste.

Yeah, I know that astronomy isn’t the answer to the world’s ills, but I wish that there was some way to keep people engaged in positive things, like astronomy… or art… or anything that would keep them away from stuff that just gets them in trouble before they’re old enough to appreciate the cosmos.