“THE PASSION AND SCIENCE OF AMATEUR ASTRONOMY: A SCIENTIST’S DIARY”
WITH DR. HOWARD TROTTIER
PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
Among the physical sciences, there is arguably no rival to astronomy for the extent to which it can immerse non-scientists in the culture and practice of modern science. Amateur astronomers come from all walks of life, and most are drawn to the hobby by the transformative experience of seeing some celestial treasure with their own eyes. Many self-taught “amateurs” produce beautiful astronomical images that surpass those taken at professional observatories only a few decades ago, and some do valuable science, often with backyard equipment, and often alone, but also in collaboration with professional astronomers. In this talk I’ll sample from the many varieties of amateur experience, from the perspective of someone who is equal parts amateur astronomer and professional scientist.

Dr. Howard Trottier is a Professor of Physics at Simon Fraser University. His alter-ego, Mr. Starry Nights @ SFU, draws thousands of people to the Burnaby campus every year, to experience the beauty and mystery of the universe at the Trottier Observatory and Science Plaza. He has been recognized with a University Excellence in Teaching Award from SFU, and two Qilak Awards for Astronomy Communications, Public Education and Outreach, one from the Canadian Astronomical Society, and the other from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Boston Pizza (private room), 1045 Columbia St., New Westminster (2 blocks from the New West skytrain station)
7:00-8:30pm (doors open for registration at 6:30pm)

Reserve your free seat by emailing: cafe_scientifique@sfu.ca