Update on the Observatory at Highline Lake State Park
SPEAKER: Terry Hancock
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The longstanding partnership between WCAC and Highline Lake State Park has introduced visitors to the wonders of the night sky for years. Beginning in 2027, stargazing programs will move to the DownUnder Observatory and Horizons Amphitheater, being constructed on the west side of the park as Highline Lake continues its work toward designation as a Dark Sky Park through Dark Sky International.
Speaker Bio:
Astronomy Photographer, Director of Downunderobservatory and Teacher of Astro-Imaging and President of WCAC.
Terry was born in England and migrated with his parents as a child to Australia in 1967. His interest in astronomy began when he was thirteen and found himself inspired by the writings of astronomer Sir Patrick Moore, and under the dark skies of the Australian outback he found what would ultimately be his life’s calling.
In the mid 1980’s Terry decided to combine his two loves – photography and astronomy into the hobby of astrophotography. His interest and skills continued to grow, spanning the transition from film to digital imaging. Terry’s astrophotos have been published by NASA and featured in the Griffith Observatory, Astronomy Photographer of the year, Astronomy magazine, Sky at Night, Sky & Telescope, Astronomy Now, National Geographic, The Daily Mail, Yahoo, Space.com, and many other well-known online publications and books.
In 2000 Terry moved to Western Michigan in the United States where he lived for 17 years working in the commercial sign industry and engaging in astrophotography from his private backyard observatory. In 2016 he moved to Colorado where he supervised the construction of the Grand Mesa Observatory, brought it to operational status as Director and board member, he also conducted Public and Educational outreach. Terry also is a major contributor to astronomy education on the Western Slope of Colorado, he's also a Beta Tester for QHYCCD cameras, Sky-Watcher Telescopes, Chroma Filters and Optolong Filters, he has given talks about astrophotography to schools, clubs, libraries, and other organizations and he operates downunderobservatory.com, an online astrophotography tutorial service, with instruction on equipment, and image acquisition and processing. This service reaches students all over the world. Several of Terry’s students have themselves earned APODs.
The live meeting will be at Mesa Room Central Library.
The meeting will also be via Zoom for those who need or want to participate remotely. You will have to pre-register to participate via Zoom. Contact us here to register.
We hope to see everyone (either live or online)