Dr. James LoPresto -- Keynote Talk: The Awakening Sun

Dr. Lopresto is a professor of Astrophysics at Edinboro Unveristy. He has published a book "SPACETIME: Fabric of the Universe" and numerous articles on solar spectroscopy and solar dynamics in astrophysics journals. In addition to doing research as a staff member of the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, he has constructed his own private observatory in Crawford County, PA which he uses to search for asteroids and supernovae. Dr. Lopresto contributes to the astronomical community by giving many talks, through innovative teaching methods "the paperless classroom", and by making much of his course material accessible to the public through the internet.

Dr Melissa Bratten Helping People Learn about Space: Working with Kids' Mental Models and Explanations, Part 1

Children as well as adults build theories, mental models, and explanations for the phenomena that they see in the world around them. These mental models develop into robust ways of explaining how and why the natural world behaves as it does. But, how can we as science educators, science enthusiasts, and parents help people learn about science? Why do people build strong, but ultimately inaccurate, ideas about certain events? How can we build upon kids' partially formed mental models and explanations in order to encourage deeper understanding about space? Scott McDonald and Melissa Braaten will share current ideas and strategies from research in science education. Using these ideas from science education, audience members will have an opportunity to plan for outreach with kids and families and to rethink interactions with children about observing phenomena.

Melissa Braaten is a doctoral candidate in science education at the University of Washington. After 13 years teaching middle school and high school science courses, Ms. Braaten now works with teachers and education leaders to help foster increasingly ambitious forms of science education. Ms. Braaten studies how teachers learn to teach science and how students learn in science classrooms. After graduating from the University of Washington, Ms. Braaten will serve as an Assistant Professor of Science Education at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Larry McHenry Solar Observing

Larry McHenry has been active in amateur astronomy for over 30 years, and is currently a member of the Kiski Astronomers club and the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh from Southwestern Pennsylvania, in the Pittsburgh area. Since 1991, Larry has specialized in solar observing, sketching, and video imaging sunspots and H-alpha features. Larry will present a discussion on observing the Sun, which will include examples of various solar filters and equipment, solar observing techniques, and his specialty of video-capture solar imaging. Weather permitting, the talk will be followed by a solar observing session using his Meade 8" LX200 with a Daystar .6A H-alpha filer, along with Coronado's PST Ha and CaK telescopes. We hope to be able to view sunspots in white-light, and active-regions, prominences in H-alpha, and if we're lucky, perhaps even a solar flare! You can find more information on Larry's solar observations and backyard observatory, "Big Woodchuck Observatory", online at his webportal: http://home.comcast.net/~lsmch/ To find Larry's campsite, just look for the Wazat! (teardrop trailer).

Scott McDonald Astronomy Education

Dr. Scott McDonald is an Associate Professor of Science Education at The Pennsylvania State University. He received and undergraduate degree in Physics with a focus on Astronomy and Astrophysics. He was high school Physics teacher for six years before returning for his Ph.D. Science Education and Learning Technologies at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on understanding the difference between expert and novice science teachers in terms of their ability to notice and interpret events in classroom practice. His work is funded by the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the National Science Foundation.

Gary Honis Modification and cooling of DSLR cameras for Astro Imaging

DSLR camera modification procedure will be explained in detail and will include:

• History of digital camera modifications.
• DSLR camera improvements over time for astro imaging.
• Explanation of modification types and filter replacements for astro and infrared imaging.
• Do-it-yourself DSLR modification procedure and considerations.
• Maintaining autofocus after IR cut filter replacement.
• Image processing considerations for modified DSLR cameras.
• Peltier cooling methods for DSLR cameras.
• Do-it-yourself Whole Camera Peltier Cooling System procedure explained.
• Temperature control for peltier cooled DSLR cameras.
• Test results and advantage of DSLR camera peltier cooling.
• The main purpose of the presentation is to explain the mechanics of converting a DSLR for astro use and also for peltier cooling of DSLR cameras to improve noise performance.

Gary Honis is an avid deep sky observer, astrophotographer and astro imager since 1987. Graduate of Penn State University with a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering. Licensed as a Professional Engineer with over 33 years experience as an Electronic Engineer in the Telecommunications Industry as official of the US Government. Modifying Canon DSLR cameras since 2004 and providing detailed modification instructions online since then to assist others wanting to self modify their cameras. Images published in Sky & Telescope Magazine, AstroPhoto Insight Magazine and "Digital Photography". Officer of the Greater Hazleton Area Astronomical Society. Member of the International Dark Sky Association and actively involved in light pollution reduction efforts for over 20 years.