Chandra 25th Anniversary Celebration
THURSDay, July 18 From 5:00PM - 7:30PM
CHRISTA MCAULIFFE CENTER and Planetarium
Framingham state University
The Chandra X-ray Observatory is unlike any other telescope. Since its launch into space on July 23, 1999, Chandra has been NASA’s flagship mission for X-ray astronomy in the fleet of “Great Observatories.”
Chandra discovers exotic new phenomena and examines old mysteries, looking at objects within our own Solar System out to nearly the edge of the observable Universe. Chandra makes significant discoveries on its own, but also in concert with other telescopes and instruments in the quest to understand the Universe.
Chandra’s imaging capabilities and observing efficiency still exceed pre-launch requirements after 25 years of operations. The observatory is capable of many more years of operation and scientific discovery. Many current themes in astrophysics, along with new NASA facilities to address these, rely on unique information from Chandra.
We are on the precipice of so many discoveries. What wonders will come next?
Join us in collaboration with Chandra X-ray Observatory as we celebrate Chandra’s 25th Anniversary at the Christa McAuliffe Center and Framingham State University Planetarium!
EVENT SCHEDULE
5:00PM - 6:00PM: Hands-On Activities and Exhibits
Screenings of Listen to the Universe at 5:00pm and 5:30pm
6:15PM - 7:30PM: Planetarium Program - Celebrating 25 years of the Extreme Universe with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and guest experts!
CHANDRA HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND EXHIBITS
Lobby
3D Printing the X-ray Universe
Make a perfect bookmark for summer reading
Learn about binary code
Collect sticker, postcard, and poster giveaways
Pose with 3D Instagram experiences
Challenger Learning Center
Briefing Room: Screenings of Listen to the Universe at 5:00pm and 5:30pm
NASA is famous for beautiful space images, but did you know you can listen to them? Go behind the scenes with the team that creates “sonifications,” translations of data into sound, and learn how meaningful they are to people who are blind or low-vision.
Spacecraft: Chandra image and sonification gallery
Mission Control: How Chandra Works - featuring Cas A exhibit
PLANETARIUM PROGRAM - CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF THE EXTREME UNIVERSE WITH NASA’S CHANDRA X-RAY OBSERVATORY
Moderator: Kim Arcand,
Visualization Scientist/Emerging Tech Lead
Dr. Kimberly Arcand is a leading expert in astronomy visualization and an innovator in 3D imaging, printing, and extended reality applications with astrophysics data. Dr. Arcand has worked for NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory since 1998. Her current research includes sonification of spatial data, machine learning as applied to image processing, and other intersections of emerging technology and high-energy astrophysics.
Guest Experts:
Pat Slane, CXC Director
Dr. Patrick (Pat) Slane of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) is the Director of the Chandra X-ray Center (CXC), which controls science and flight operations for NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. Dr. Slane received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and then became a research astrophysicist at the SAO in 1988.
Rudy Montez, Scientist in the Chandra Director's Office
Rodolfo "Rudy" Montez Jr., has been an astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian since 2016, working for the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Prior to that, Dr. Montez spent almost 4 years as a postdoctoral fellow at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. In 2010, Rudy was awarded the first PhD in Astrophysical Sciences and Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY. Throughout his career, Dr. Montez has studied evolved sun-like stars using a variety of ground and space-based telescopes and surveys.
Mel Nynka, Research Scientist
Melania (Mel) Nynka is an MIT astrophysicist working for the Chandra X-ray Center. Dr. Nynka obtained her Ph.D. in astrophysics from Columbia University and was a postdoctoral fellow at the McGill University Trottier Space Institute. She currently helps support the Chandra Observatory, and uses various X-ray telescopes (including Chandra) to study low luminosity supermassive black holes and pulsar wind nebulae.
Julia Zachary, Flight Operations Team Deputy Mission Planning Manager/Command Controller
Julia Zachary is the Deputy Mission Planning Manager and a Command Controller for the Chandra Flight Operations Team. She previously worked on the Chandra Science Operations Team as an Astrophysicist/Technical Assistant. Julia graduated from Wesleyan University in 2017 with a B.A. in Astronomy and Physics.
ABOUT CHANDRA
A quarter of a century ago, scientists began a quest to answer some of the biggest questions in the Universe. They have discovered many truths – and uncovered even more mysteries. Since it was launched into space in July 1999, NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory has changed our view of the Universe. With this telescope, we continue to see what is otherwise invisible. We are still learning, exploring, and expanding humanity’s grasp of what the Universe has to offer. Our X-ray legacy continues.
Celebrating 25 years of NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory:
PARKING AND DIRECTIONS
Parking is available in the Maynard Road Parking Lot. Once parked, follow Framingham State University’s signs and the McAuliffe Center’s yard signs to the McAuliffe Center (click here for map).
