Nerd Nite Orlando XXXV: Astronomy Nite

On January 14th, Nerd Nite Orlando returns! We’ll be hosting a very special event in downtown Orlando featuring presentations from our friends of the Buehler Planetarium and the Central Florida Astronomical Society. We’ll explore astronomy, discuss space travel, and get you excited for the 2016 Winter Sky Festival which will happen 2 days after on Saturday, January 16th.

When: Thursday, January 14, 2016. Doors open at 6:30pm. Program begins at 7pm
Where: 189 S Orange Ave #2020, Orlando, FL 32801. (In the Purple Rock Scissors office. 20th Floor of the Plaza, South Tower building)

Theme: Astronomy and Space Travel

Cost: FREE… but you must RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nerd-nite-orlando-xxxv-astronomy-nite-tickets-20290116284

Speaker List:
Derek Demeter
Michael McConville
Bob Vogel

Presentation List:
“Opening Up New Horizons: Pluto at Six Months” by Michael McConville

In the six months that have followed the closest approach of the New Horizons spacecraft to Pluto, our understanding of the Solar System’s largest dwarf planet continues to expand with each passing day. Join Michael McConville of the Emil Buehler Planetarium as we explore the incredible discoveries radioed back on a daily basis from New Horizons. From ice mountains to nitrogen plains, from blue skies to canyons that dwarf ones on Earth, this spacecraft is helping to rewrite the history of our Solar System – and solar systems throughout the Universe.

“Naked Astronomy: A Nudist’s View of the Winter Night Sky” by Bob Vogel

Naked Astronomy brings the science of astronomy and the beauty of artistic lore to the general public. Bob Vogel, the Vice President of the Central Florida Astronomical Society, will lead us as we explore the winter constellations and the art they have inspired.

“Space Travel 101: Those Who Want to Get the Hell Off This Planet” by Derek Demeter

Need to jump 20 parsecs out to the Dagobah System? Wondering whether that wormhole in “Sector ENO” is up and working? Having issues with your plasma ion engine? Join Seminole State College Planetarium Director Derek Demeter in an investigation on the latest findings in space travel as well as the reason it may only be a matter of time until such technologies become science fact instead of science fiction.

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Live Nerd Nite presentations in Orlando are always the second Thursday of every month.

If you have any questions or would like to present at a future Nerd Nite, please email Ricardo at

On Tuesday, June 30th, the planets Venus and Jupiter were less than a half-degree apart in the evening sky — less than the width of the full moon!

The Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College hosted a Conjunction Party to observe these two bright planets at their closest approach in many years. In addition, both the moon and the planet Saturn were also prominently visible in the sky, making for an absolutely fantastic observing night!

Like all planetarium observing events, the Conjunction Observing Party was free and open to the public. Telescopes were set up along the eastern sidewalk surrounding the pond in the center of the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus. Telescopes were provided by planetarium staff and the Central Florida Astronomical Society.

Photographs by Ricardo Williams

Click here to view a complete album of photos from the party: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.683351595103595.1073741858.350851321686959&type=1

The photo by former Nerd Nite speaker and astrophotographer Derek Demeter is entitled “Milky Way-By-The-Sea”. It was taken at Canaveral National Seashore, just south of New Smyrna Beach or less than an hour from downtown Orlando. The photo will be featured at the SNAP! “You are Here” photography show starting on Thursday, May 21st at City Arts Factory.