Large binocular telescope (photo courtesy of Steward Observatory)
Sam Miller
On Sunday, Nov. 10, the SaddleBrooke Skygazers Astronomy Club will present Dr. Joannah Hinz, an Associate Research Professor and Deputy Director of the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) Observatory at the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory. The program presentation will be at the DesertView Theater, 39900 S. Clubhouse Drive, at 7 p.m. Dr Hinz’ research focus is on Extragalactic Astronomy, Infrared Astronomy, and Instrumentation and Detectors. At this program meeting, she will speak about her work in Extragalactic Astronomy.
Rubin’s Galaxy, also known as UGC 2885, is one of the largest known spiral galaxies in the Universe. It is more than twice the diameter of our Milky Way and contains 10 times as many stars, a gigantic, dynamic swirl of astonishing beauty and hidden secrets. Named for astronomer Vera Rubin, UGC 2885 challenges our current classification scheme for local galaxies, defying attempts to label it as either a “super spiral” or a “giant low surface brightness galaxy.” Extremely isolated in space and seemingly undisturbed by past interactions with other galaxies, UGC 2885 nevertheless contains an active galactic nucleus, calling into question the sources of fuel for such a powerhouse. We will delve into observations, both old and new, of this tantalizing island universe, using its unusual nature to probe the origin and evolution of galaxies.
Joannah Hinz received a Bachelor of Science degree in physics with a minor in English literature from MIT and her PhD in astronomy from the University of Arizona. She worked as a scientist at the University of Arizona with the Spitzer Space Telescope group for several years studying stellar structure, star formation, and dust in nearby galaxies. She spent 12 years as a staff scientist at the MMT Observatory located near Green Valley, Ariz. In June of this year, she became the Deputy Director of the LBT Observatory near Safford.
The SaddleBrooke Skygazers Astronomy Club meets monthly (and typically) on the second Sunday evening at 7 p.m. at the DesertView Theater. The fall Star Parties are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 21, and Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the softball field parking lot. The public is welcome to both meetings and Star Parties. Club and Star Party information can be obtained by emailing Sam Miller at [email protected].