Understanding Star Types and How Stars Evolve:
What the H-R diagram tell us
Francis P. Wilkin, Ph.D.
Lecturer and Observatory Manager, Union College

This talk is aimed at the general public and amateur astronomers.
Stars come in many familiar (and less familiar) types such as red giants, white dwarfs, and main sequence stars. Some stars will transform from one of these types into another, and all stars evolve and eventually die, whether due to an explosion or simply running out of fuel. The H-R diagram, invented about a century ago, allows us to classify the stars and understand their properties. I will explain several of the uses of this diagram including comparisons of stars of different mass, temperature, luminosity, and age. Along the way, we’ll learn about some of the things going on inside the stars, though this talk focuses primarily on what we see from the outside.

Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 pm at miSci (formerly the Schenectady Museum),
except in August, when we have a star party at the Landis Arboretum.

A Note on Meeting Cancellations during Winter Months

Remember that bad weather may force a meeting cancellation.  If the Schenectady Museum is closed, our meeting is canceled.  Most of the local radio and television stations have on-line listings of closings, or check with the museum (382-7890).  We will announce cancellations on the club and Rising Star Yahoo groups (astro_albany and risingstar), or you can call Alan at 374-8460.

Date: Thursday, 6/20/2013

Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Eastern

Location: miSci, 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

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    Sunset: 8:39 PM
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    Moon
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    What's in the Sky this evening?

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