DDO: Astronomy Speaker's Night - Astronomical Research at the Undergraduate Level (ONLINE)
Speaker name: Maheen Hemani
Join us, from the comfort of your home! This program will feature live-stream views from the DDO's 74-Inch telescope (Weather permitting). Explore breaking news from space and current research into what lies beyond our home planet! Each night, we’ll take a virtual tour of the DDO, hear from our speakers about their own amazing space research, and ask them all our questions about what they know and what they’re discovering.
Research is one of the most important parts of an astronomy-based career, from observing heavenly bodies to collecting, reducing, and processing data. Maheen will be talking about her experience with astronomical research at the undergraduate level at York University, as well as the specific work performed by the Allan I. Carswell Observatory on campus. This includes research on variable stars as well as observational astronomy. If you are considering studying astronomy in university, this is a talk you will not want to miss!
Maheen was fascinated with astronomy since she was very young, however, she found it was not very common for schools to teach much about the subject at the time. She attended several STEM programs in her home country of Pakistan to learn more about the field and get involved with observational amateur astronomy. By the time Maheen began her studies at York University in 2020, she had already performed some research in nuclear physics. However, it was only at York that she began to acquire proper experience with astronomical research, which involved determining solar rotation periods, classifying galaxies, and detecting exoplanets. She has worked at York University's Allan I Carswell Observatory for roughly one year, where she learned how to operate the 1-meter telescope - the largest on any Canadian university campus - and assisted in its ongoing research on variable stars. She expects to complete her degree in 2024.
Only one registration per household is required. Deadline to register for this program is Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 4:00pm. Prior to the start of the program you will be emailed information on the virtual program links and any specific information relating to your program.
Who can attend: Ages 10 and up
Fee: $12.76
Registration: ActiveRH
Organized by: RASC, Toronto Centre