Farpoint Convention 2024 Science Guests Coming Soon
Please submit a Programming Application to propose a topic for our science track.
Farpoint Convention 2023 was excited to host another exciting program of stellar subjects! We think there was something for everyone. From the scientists of the Chromatics telling us about JWST (complete with songs) and a retrospective on all the HST has achieved, to the life cycle of stars and neutron stars, we have lots of hard science for your consideration. Yet we are all fans, and to that end we also featured a talk about the science behind The Expanse and Where is the Science in all that Fiction?
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Friday, 10 February, 2023 |
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5 PM |
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Saturday, 11 February, 2023 |
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10 AM |
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11 AM |
The DART Mission: Testing Planetary Defense via Asteroid Deflection |
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12 PM |
Getting Started in Deep Sky Astrophotography … An Absolute Beginner’s Guide |
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1 PM |
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2 PM |
Dr. Padi Boyd |
New Eye in the Sky: Engineering and Science Update for NASA’s Powerful JWST |
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3 PM |
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4 PM |
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5 PM |
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Sunday, 12 February, 2023 |
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10 AM |
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11 AM |
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12 PM |
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1 PM |
Hubble Space Telescope: Highlights from 32+ Years of Observing the Universe |
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Presentation Descriptions
Practical IT Security for Your Mobile Devices
Your mobile devices are your best friends. They remind you of things you need to do, provide you entertainment, connect you to others in your social circle, serve as your retail store, act as your safari guide, and occasionally act as a telephone. But they are also insidious spies, tattletales, and potential thieves. Come discuss ways to ensure our silicon friends are not betrayers in disguise. We’ll discuss common mobile security issues and remedies to keep you safer when using these devices.
Weather Satellites: Saving the World from Low-Earth Orbit
How much warning did you get before the last blizzard? Come learn about the recently launched NOAA-21/JPSS-2 and the constellation weather satellites in low-Earth orbit. Hear how new tech is fueling new science, allowing us to track hurricanes at night, predict river flooding from melted ice, and better warn us about other impending hazards.
The DART Mission: Testing Planetary Defense via Asteroid Deflection
NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission successfully impacted with a steroid Dimorphos on September 26, 2022. DART is the first test of planetary defense via kinetic deflection. Dr. Miller will update us on the latest results from DART, and describe NASA’s planetary defense program in general, including contrasts between Hollywood versions of the concept and what is now the real thing …
Getting Started In Deep Sky Astrophotography … An Absolute Beginner’s Guide
Learn the basics about getting started with imaging deep sky objects such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. We will discuss the types of equipment, software, and processes that go into making astro images. You’ll see real (“out of this”) world examples of astrophotography that were taken from a driveway in the suburbs of Baltimore as you learn about some of the challenges and triumphs you may encounter as you enter this rewarding craft that mixes science and photography with the beauty of the universe!
Quantum Weirdness and Local Realism
In the microscopic domain of electrons, atoms, and molecules, the rules that we are used to start breaking down and the world of quantum mechanics takes over. The inherently probabilistic behavior of this world is so bizarre that even Einstein thought it had to be incorrect, leading him to postulate that there must be so called “hidden variables”. The work of proving him wrong led to the 2022 Nobel Prize in physics and planted the seeds of today’s revolution in quantum technology.
New Eye in the Sky: Engineering and Science Update for NASA’s Powerful JWST
Come hear what Chromatics members, Padi Boyd and Scott Rohrbach, have to say about JWST engineering and the science that remarkable instrument is accomplishing. The Chromatics as a whole will support the talk by singing related songs, thereby employing both vocation and avocation to give us a most enjoyable picture of the state of JWST and the advanced exploration it is doing.
Neutron Stars: The Limits of Physics
Neutron stars are often treated as the foster children of black holes. Exploring neutron stars reveals fascinating physical phenomena including magnetic forces seen nowhere else in the universe. Recent discoveries from the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) have increased our knowledge of the structure and evolution of neutron stars.
Just Because We Went To The Moon, Doesn’t Mean It’s Easy
Without the use of any modern computing equipment, NASA put several men on the moon and returned them home safely. Several times. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In fact, it might even be harder now! Come learn why!
The Life Cycle of Stars
Stars have a cycle of life, just like anything alive does. The difference is that stars’ cycles take millions and often billions of years. We will follow this cycle from the beginning that all stars have in common to the diverse possible ends, as visualized by the latest results from the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. Come join us for this astronomical journey!
The Science of the Expanse
The Expanse books and television series tell a story of near-future humans living in space as part of an interconnected economy. While the authors have to take some liberties with technology, as a whole the story contains some of the most realistic depictions of spaceflight ever done. Tom Hill, a practicing aerospace engineer and Expanse fan, will discuss the many things done right and a few things that miss the mark in areas like propulsion, orbital mechanics, and communications. Discussion is encouraged.
The Loss of the Night Sky — What Light Pollution and Satellites Constellations are Doing to Our Views of the Cosmos
Recent studies by citizen scientists have revealed that our ability to see the fine details in the night sky is diminishing faster than expected. Also, the growth of communication-satellite constellations are posing challenges for professional and amateur astronomers and astrophotographers. The potential impact on radio astronomy could also be extreme.
Where is the science in all that fiction?
Sussing the science in science fiction
Hubble Space Telescope: Highlights from 32+ Years of Observing the Universe
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has explored our entire Universe from nearby objects in our Solar System to distant galaxies near the beginning of time for more than 3 decades now. We will look back at some of its most important and beautiful results and images and how they have impacted us for so many years. We will also note how Hubble and JWST are joining forces to further our explorations of our incredible Universe.