The Golden Age of Astronomy

The Golden Age of Astronomy

Class | Registration opens 8/5/2026 12:00 PM EDT

541 Main Street New London, NH 03257 United States
AIL Classroom, Lethbridge Lodge
9/16/2026-10/14/2026
1:00 PM-3:00 PM EDT on Wed
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$60.00

The Golden Age of Astronomy

Class | Registration opens 8/5/2026 12:00 PM EDT

Recent scientific, engineering and computing advances are allowing us to probe the smallest bodies in our solar system and the farthest boundaries of space. These new discoveries are generating exciting questions and making it possible to find more answers.

 

This course will explore and examine how we know what we currently know, starting with an overview of the history of modern astronomy from the first use of cameras in the late 1800’s, through the advent of the Vera Rubin Telescope and the James Webb Telescope. We will examine the impact of modern technology on the tools astronomers use today.

We will look at a current view of our solar system including major planets, dwarf planets, moons, moonlets, asteroid and Oort Belt objects. We will examine our ability to provide a planetary defense and discuss future missions within our solar system.

Lastly, we will look beyond the limits of our solar system to examine planetary formation (exo-planet) elsewhere and differences from planetary formation in our solar system. We will then examine the birth and death of stars and galaxies including our own Milky Way.


As availability permits, the course hopes to feature remote guest lecturers who are currently conducting astronomical research at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Rappeport, Scott
Scott Rappeport

Dr. Scott Rappeport is a retired marine geologist/system engineer. He received his PhD in earth sciences from Stanford University in 1981. Since then, he has led a varied career in R&D as a scientist/engineer. Over that time, he has held various supervisory and program management positions leading technical teams in offshore geologic studies and in the development and qualification of highly reliable electronic and mechanical systems for harsh marine environments.

Among his varied interests are English Premier League soccer, the intersection of civilization and paleo-environmental rapid climate changes, all things outdoors and, lastly, an abiding curiosity about the role of human psychology in game theory. He lives in Sunapee, New Hampshire.

Putnam, Lowell
Lowell Putnam

In 1984, Lowell Putnam founded Video Communications, Inc. (VCI), a software company specializing in business systems for TV networks, cable channels and local TV stations. He sold VCI in 2010 and, shortly thereafter, assumed the position of trust administrator for Lowell Observatory while concurrently serving as a trustee of Lowell Observatory Foundation.

 

Lowell holds a B.S. in psychology from American International College in Massachusetts and a 2018 honorary doctorate degree from Northern Arizona University. He is a lifetime member of the American Alpine Club and the Nature Conservancy and lives in both in New London, New Hampshire, and Flagstaff, Arizona.