Science Club

She’s an Astronomer

Many astronomers have become public celebrities. Until his untimely passing, Carl Sagan was one of America’s most respected public figures. Aside from Carl Sagan, you have undoubtedly heard of many other astronomers: Edwin Hubble, Patrick Moore, Fred Hoyle, Percival Lowell, and Edmund Halley. They all rank as acclaimed public figures. All are men. Have women made substantial contributions to astronomy? Indeed, they have, but often their work was ignored by the media or, in some cases, actually stolen by men who took credit from a woman who made a breakthrough discovery.

This month we chose to honor six women, out of many more, who significantly advanced astronomical knowledge. We hope to have a special guest presenter, Howard Simkover. He has been a lifelong friend of Ron Smith, and like Ron, has extensive experience in producing and delivering planetarium shows. This will be one of his best. We truly need to recognize and honor the contributions woman have made to the field of astronomy.

As you know, these programs will exploit Terik’s technical abilities to hold a Ballroom presentation on the big screen, even though the presenter lives in Payson, Arizona, or Ottawa, Ontario. This month’s Science Night will be held in the Ballroom on the Ballroom screen via Zoom. Howard Simkover will be presenting February’s topic, She’s an Astronomer, on Thursday, February 9th. He will be presenting remotely from Ottowa, Canada. Popcorn tickets can be purchased for $1.50, and Ham and Pineapple Pizza with Popcorn tickets can be purchased for $6.50. The presentation and food service will begin at 5:30pm.

Altered Art

Good news, dear friends. Yes, the SunRiver SHOW-MAKER 2023 will be Sunday, March 26th, 2023. Sign-up is open. The last day will be Sunday, March 12th, 2023. You sign up by sending an email to SRmixedMAA@gmail.com. Please give your first name, last name, and type of media. I will print a label for each of us, and like last year, we will have the Craft Room to drop off pieces Saturday, March 25th, 2023, from 4.30-8pm.

The Show-Maker will be Sunday, March 26th, in our wonderful Ballroom. We will have 24 round tables covered with black and white tablecloths and individual easels around the room and the stage. I will let you know the space each of us will have once I know how many of us have signed up. We will also have to respect the emergency exits and allow for an easy traffic flow.

Set up will be from 9:30-10:30am. The show will be from 10:30am-1:30pm. Cleanup will be from 1:30-2:30pm. Let me know if you can volunteer to welcome visitors and, if so, what shift is good for you.

Thank you for passing this information on to your SunRiver friends. The Show-Maker is open to all SunRiver Residents and PMP staff. No fees, no sales, and no money is involved. You may display a business card if you want.

Have a creative day, Cid and Isabelle