Mtg&Talks

The Warren astronomical Society meets on the first Monday of the month in the auditorium of the Cranbrook Institute of Science. At the meetings, we spend the first hour or so of the meeting on club business and observing reports, then have two presentations, one short and one full-length.
Main Talk
Telescopes 101
By Adrian Bradley
Use of the telescope is fast becoming a lost art with innovations in the astrophotography space. But there is something very important in the significance of the telescope in human history. The telescope connects us to the cosmos directly.
This will be a functional lecture on how to use a telescope. No matter the reason you bought one, my goal is to show you some basic steps you should take. This lecture will be for beginners. It will include:
Why focus is important?
What eyepiece should I use?
What should I try to view first?
… and a question/answer session on telescope usage and what you can expect to see.
About the Speaker
Adrian Bradley is an avid amateur nightscape photographer and astronomer. He prefers wide angle 'landscape astrophotography', especially Milky Way Photography. He uses his images to share his love of the night sky and his desire to understand and preserve it. He is currently involved with a few different astronomy groups, including the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Explore Alliance, the Astronomical League, The University Lowbrow Astronomers, G.L.A.A.C., and of course the W.A.S. Adrian has three articles published in Astronomy Magazine. He is in the June 2024, February 2025, and June 2025. He is a husband and father of two children.
Short Talk
The Importance of Astrology to Astronomy
By Ken Bertin
Astronomers have always made sure the public knew that astrology is not a science. However, the criticism of astrology though scientifically correct is misleading. Through time, world leaders have hired astronomers to predict the weather and inform what will be in the sky at harvest time and planting time. Since the stars line up on the ecliptic, they indicate also what time of year it is astronomers were very well informed of timing around the year. The astronomers got paid by the countries' leaders for their help. The astronomers could then buy what equipment they needed to do their science. The relationship was very strong.
About the Speaker
Ken Bertin is a hobbyist astronomer for over 65 years, Past President and VEEP of WAS, winner of the E. J. Searles Award and lifetime membership. He observed 13 Total Solar Eclipses, 6 Annular eclipses, 6 Transits of Mercury, 2 transits of Venus, and 15 Lunar eclipses. He does our presentations of historical figures in astronomy and currently presenting online to schools and other organizations.

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If you would like to present either a short talk (10-15 minutes) or a full-length talk (45-60 minutes) at a future meeting, please email Dale Partin at firstvp@warrenastro.org.

The views expressed in presentations are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent, and should not be attributed to, the Warren Astronomical Society.