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Austin Physics for Fun

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About us

Physics for Fun is a community for anyone who's curious about how the universe works. Whether you're a student, a hobbyist, a professional, or just someone who enjoys asking "why?", you'll find plenty to talk about here.

Our meetups are as much about the people as the physics. Some feature presentations or demonstrations. Others are simply good conversations that wander wherever curiosity leads—from black holes and quantum mechanics to mathematics, engineering, philosophy, or even the occasional completely unrelated tangent.

You don't need a physics degree or any special background to join us. Bring your curiosity, ask questions, share what you've been reading lately, or just listen. If you keep coming, you'll almost certainly pick up a few new ideas along the way—often without realizing it.

We enjoy thoughtful, evidence-based discussions and welcome different perspectives. The goal isn't to be the smartest person in the room; it's to leave knowing something you didn't when you walked in.

Upcoming events

14

Astronomy on Tap ATX - Astronomy News and Discussion - In Person
Tue, Jul 21 · 7:30 PM CDT
Celis Brewery, 10001 Metric Boulevard, Austin, TX, US
You do NOT need to sign up for this event. It is a placeholder only.

You DO need to check with this site regularly for the latest event information and schedule -- https://www.aotatx.org/

Astronomy on Tap has this to say...

This is the 100th Austin event and Austin Astronomical Society is going to participate with actual telescopes!

Astronomy on Tap ATX is held on the second or third Tuesday of every month at Celis Brewing (10001 Metric Blvd., Austin, Texas 78758) at 7.30 pm. Please check our Facebook for our next show! Founded in 2014 by professional astronomers Dr. Rachael Livermore and Dr. Jeffrey Silverman, AoTATX is currently organized by a committee of Austin-based astronomers.

As always, AoTATX is FREE and open to all ages! The show starts at Celis Brewery at 7:30pm. You can tweet with #AoTATX79 to ask questions during the show! Find us on Facebook (Astronomy on Tap ATX), Twitter (@AoTATX), and Instagram (@AoTATX). See less

AoTATX features accessible, engaging science presentations on topics ranging from planets to black holes to the beginning of the Universe. In addition to talks, each AoTATX has trivia, prize giveaways, Astronomy in the News, and plenty of time to interact with the presenters and other astronomers in the audience. Plus, sweet AoTATX merchandise will be on sale.

Find us on Facebook (Astronomy on Tap ATX), Twitter/X (@AoTATX), and Instagram (@AoTATX), and the web (Astronomy on Tap ATX). Selected talks from previous events can be found on our YouTube channel. Contact us via email with any questions or to sign-up for our mailing list!

Astronomy on Tap ATX -- https://astronomyontap.org/locations/austin-tx/

Astronomy on Tap (Events held globally) -- https://astronomyontap.org/
2 attendees
HABEX2 - High Altitude Balloon Flight - Design Update - Hybrid
Sat, Jul 25 · 10:00 AM CDT
Diogenes Makerspace, 13800 Dragline Dr, Austin, TX, US
This event is managed by Nature Nerds Austin -- https://www.meetup.com/nature-nerds-of-austin/

This is the monthly design status and update meeting. Participation is both in person and online.

The meeting will be held at a private makerspace, Diogenes. It is located in the same building as the adult club Colette Austin. The door is at the left end of the building, Suite C. Go to the back of the first floor workspace and head upstairs.

If you have questions please feel free to submit them in the comments below or send them to me directly.

Zoom meeting details will be posted about a half hour before the meeting begins.

HABEX - High Altitude Balloon Experiments

The reference to experiments is two-fold. The first is in regard to the actual balloon construction and flight processes. The second is a reference to the payload and what it does during the flight (e.g. images, environmental measurements, etc.). To be clear, there will be two design processes going on in parallel, the balloon proper and the payload. This initial flight is really focusing on the balloon to get that process pinned down and clearly defined. The initial payload should be simple (e.g. digital camera taking pictures).

One of the primary design considerations will be the use of CanSat techniques in the design and construction process. We may need to build a technology demonstrator for this (i.e. dummy payload) before the actual flight process.

CanSat -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CanSat

Design Process:

Design/Buy > Assemble > Test > Loop (Will it fly?) > Flight Plan

Meeting Sequence:

Pilot - Initial meeting (possibly two) to gauge interest and get first round of participants.

Design - Group responsible for the first four stages of the Design Process. - Multiple meetings.

Pre-Flight - Review process to date and verify readiness - Set the date of launch - Possibly two meetings

Launch - Two teams (Launch and Recovery)

Clean up - Launch team cleans up launch site and transitions to tracking and telemetry

Recovery - Recovery team (possibly several groups) chases the balloon and tries to stay ahead of it.

Post-Flight - Review, analysis, and release of flight report (including experimental results if any).

Flight Plan:

Pre-Flight

Schedule

Assembly

Launch

Tracking

Recovery

Review/Release Results

Constraints:

COVID 19

Budget

Resources/Tools/Facilities

Legal (e.g. FAA rules about weight and number of modules)

People

Transportation
1 attendee
AAS - Area 51.2 Open House - Radio Astronomy SIG - In Person
Sat, Jul 25 · 4:00 PM CDT
AAS Area512, 3301 E 5th St, Austin, TX, US
You do NOT need to sign up for this event. It is a placeholder only.

You DO need to be an existing or potential new AAS member.

For AAS information and membership details - Austin Astronomical Society -- https://austinastro.org/

The Austin Astronomical Society has this to say...

The Radio Astronomy SIG is just getting off the ground and we're looking to connect with anyone interested in non-visual astronomy. For example using software defined radios or non-visual optical astronomy such as spectrophotometry.

Spectrophotometry -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectrophotometry

Area512 is the name we’ve given to our newly acquired telescope storage and maintenance facility where we intend to hold Scope Clinics to assist our members who may have mechanical or operational issues with their astronomy equipment. Area512 will also house our astronomy lending library and will be the focal point for our loaner scope program. We also plan to offer training/educational sessions and provide a place to meet mentors if you are just starting out in the hobby.

Help will be available for anyone with telescope equipment that needs repair, adjusting or simply training. We will also begin the construction of a base for one of the clubs dobsonian telescopes for anyone interested in building their own telescope.

Looking forward to seeing y’all there.
1 attendee
AAS - Area 51.2 Open House - Telescope Workshop - In Person
Sat, Jul 25 · 4:00 PM CDT
AAS Area512, 3301 E 5th St, Austin, TX, US
You do NOT need to sign up for this event. It is a placeholder only.

You DO need to be an existing or potential new AAS member.

For AAS information and membership details - Austin Astronomical Society -- https://austinastro.org/

The Austin Astronomical Society has this to say...

Area512 is the name we’ve given to our newly acquired telescope storage and maintenance facility where we intend to hold Scope Clinics to assist our members who may have mechanical or operational issues with their astronomy equipment. Area512 will also house our astronomy lending library and will be the focal point for our loaner scope program. We also plan to offer training/educational sessions and provide a place to meet mentors if you are just starting out in the hobby.

Help will be available for anyone with telescope equipment that needs repair, adjusting or simply training. We will also begin the construction of a base for one of the clubs dobsonian telescopes for anyone interested in building their own telescope.

Looking forward to seeing y’all there.
1 attendee

Past events

620

Organizers

Abhir and 6 others

Members

987

Related topics

Science Education