The 2023 Astronomical League Convention(ALCon 2023) will be held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from July 26th to 29th. Our theme will be “Astronomical Gumbo,” which represents the blend of diverse subfields and people within the vast field of astronomy. Gumbo is a dish that combines the culinary practices of Africans, Native Americans, French, and Spanish, and is often used as a metaphor for the mix of cultures that exist in southern Louisiana. Baton Rouge, which is French for “red stick,” is the capital of Louisiana and sits along the mighty Mississippi River. The city’s many attractions include a planetarium, the new and old State Capitol buildings, and many museums. Serving as the melting pot between the urban cityscape and the rural scenes of nature, Baton Rouge is home to plenty of art, music, and great food for visitors and families to enjoy.

ALCon 2023 will be host by Baton Rouge Astronomical Society, or B.R.A.S., was established in 1981. With over 100 members, it is Baton Rouge’s premier meeting place for amateur astronomers. B.R.A.S. features a diverse collection of individuals, ranging from new members seeking to learn the basics to more experienced observers sharing their knowledge with others. Anyone who shares the common love of astronomy is welcome to join.

Louisiana is home to LIGO-Livingston, one of only 5 gravitational wave interferometers in the world, and one if only 2 in the United States. Visitors are able to tour a world-class scientific research facility located deep in the of the pine forests of Livingston.
Note spaces are limited for the LIGO field trip