ASIG Meetup-Spectroscopy for Everyone: Unlocking the Hidden Universe

Tom Field
President, Field Tested Systems LLC
Former Contributing Editor, Sky & Telescope Magazine, 2011 - 2021
Astronomical Spectra: www.rspec-astro.com
Classroom Spectra: www.fieldtestedsystems.com

You might think you’d need a spaceship, a PhD, or a second mortgage to capture the spectra of stars—
but all it really takes is simple gear and an interest in hearing what stories the stars have to tell. From
your backyard, you can unlock a universe of scientific discovery.
Want to detect Neptune’s atmosphere without leaving Earth? Curious about the temperature,
composition, and life cycle of stars? Want to measure the universe’s expansion by detecting the redshift
of a distant quasar? It’s all possible—and easier than you think.
If you’ve ever thought, "I wish I could do more science with my telescope," and wanted to more deeply
understand what you’re seeing in the night sky, this presentation is your chance to get started. You’ll
see fascinating examples of how spectra reveal deep truths about the stars—and learn how to begin
doing it yourself through a presentation that’s clear, engaging, and unintimidating.
Tom says, “When I started, I knew almost nothing. Capturing the star spectra helped me learn so much
about astronomy — one star at a time.”

It should be a great session with plenty of practical tips, live demos, and time to connect. Hope to see you there! But I will setup a zoom for those that can't make it.

This lecture will be available online Zoom platform.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81193628193?pwd=NlBZN2llU204VnVySk5SZXhtZWc2UT09

About the Speaker
Tom Field was a Contributing Editor at Sky & Telescope Magazine from 2011 to 2021. He is the founder
of Field Tested Systems and the creator of RSpec, software that received Sky & Telescope's Hot Product
award. As a pioneer in amateur astronomical spectroscopy, Tom’s mission is to make the field as
friendly and accessible as a telescope on a summer night.
Come join us. You might just leave seeing stars in a whole new light.