DarkSky Missouri: How Light Pollution and Satellites Impact Dark Skies (Live)

NOTE: This Signup is for the In Person Meeting at the Plaza Library.
You can also attend virtually by Zoom here:
https://www.meetup.com/kc-sierra-club-outings/events/310566329/

About the Event

Join DarkSky Missouri for a talk from Bill Wren, who will talk about the threat to ground based astronomy posed by the growth of light pollution and the increasing numbers of artificial satellites.

For the vast majority of human history, we have enjoyed a view of the heavens unencumbered by outdoor lighting. Since the invention of the electric light a mere 150 years ago, night skies around the world are brightening at an astonishing rate, endangering conventional ground-based astronomical research.

Rapidly increasing numbers of artificial satellites in orbit around the Earth further compound the problem, threatening even the most remote observatories. Options are limited.

The talk will be in the Large Meeting Room at the Plaza Library, with time included after the talk for questions.

About the Speaker

Bill Wren has been fascinated by the night sky all his life. He was a Public Affairs Specialist and part time researcher for the McDonald Observatory at University of Texas at Austin. During his career at the observatory, he enjoyed conveying the wonders of the universe to its visitors.

He helped design and build several unique telescopes, including a wheelchair accessible telescope that is available for public use at the Observatory’s Visitors Center. He was also the Commissioning Telescope Operator of the 10-meter Hobby-Eberly Telescope.

Bill has long been actively involved in protecting the Observatory’s dark night skies. He has retired to Kansas City after acting as the Special Assistant to the Superintendent for the McDonald Observatory at University of Texas at Austin.

Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet 🌎
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit [www.sierraclub.org.](http://www.sierraclub.org./)

Why America must protect 30x30 (w/ Sen. Tom Udall, Dr. Enric Sala) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4VmOchhp8o](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4VmOchhp8o)