Maui Small Telescope Astronomical Research (STAR) Conference
February 21-22,
Maui Arts & Cultural Center Kahului, Maui
The two-day Maui STAR Conference will provide a broad survey of small telescopes and accompanying instruments, their use in astronomical research, and their automation and deployment in arrays and global networks. These small, mass-produced telescopes are used by undergraduate students and amateur astronomers, as well as professional astronomers and graduate students, for published research in the areas of astrometry (binary stars), time-series photometry (variable stars and exoplanets), and stellar spectroscopy.
The conference will be held at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on the edge of the ocean in Kahului.
The meeting will be in Morgado Hall with attendees sitting at round tables in purposely mixed
groups of students, amateur astronomers, and professional astronomers to help build community.
Event Agenda
Saturday, February 21, Small Telescopes, Instruments, and Observatories
1. 9:00 The STAR perspective
10:15 Break
2. 10:45 History of small telescopes
12:00 Lunch
3. 1:00 Current small telescopes & instruments
2:15 Break
4. 2:45 Robotic telescopes, arrays, and networks
4:00 Free time
5:00 Social Hour and Banquet
Sunday February 22, Small Telescope Astronomical Research
5. 9:00 Astrometry of known and potential binaries
10:15 Break
6. 10:45 Photometry of variable stars & exoplanets
12:00 Lunch
7. 1:00 Stellar spectroscopy
2:15 Break
8. 2:45 Future of small telescope research
Post-Conference Tour of Haleakala Telescopes, Monday, February 23
Post-Conference Road to Hana Bus Tour, Tuesday, February 24
The conference is being organized by the Fairborn Institute, a nonprofit organization that supports undergraduate student published astronomical research and small telescope, instrument, and software development.