Date: Jul 28, 2009

Hofstra University's Department of Physics and Astronomy To Host and Co-Sponsor Astronomical League Convention and Exposition for 2009

August 7 and 8, 2009; In Celebration of the International Year of Astronomy and the 400th Anniversary of Galileo's Telescope

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY …In honor of the International Year of Astronomy and the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s refinement of the telescope, this year’s Astronomical League Convention and Exposition (ALCON EXPO) will be held on August 7 and 8, 2009, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, Long Island. Hofstra’s Department of Physics and Astronomy is also a co-sponsor of the event, which features a number of lectures by well-known astronomy experts, a special workshop for children, ages 6 to 13, excursions and tours.

On August 7 various lectures and workshops on astronomy, astrophotography, are scheduled and a lineup of speakers will also be provided by Lunar and Planetary Studies (ALPO Organization), and Variable Star Research (AAVSO Organization). Vendors will be selling the latest in astronomical equipment. That evening attendees board buses for a trip to a “Star-B-Que” being held at the Custer Institute, a historic astronomical landmark located on Long Island’s North Fork. That dinner will feature local culinary specialties and wine tasting, and special speakers. The observatories on the grounds of the Custer Institute will remain open for stargazing.

On August 8 the lectures continue and the Astronomical League will hold its annual convention. Vendors will be onsite, and the convention evening banquet will be held at Hofstra, featuring a keynote address by renowned comet hunter David Levy.

Also available to attendees is an ALCON workshop for children, ages 6 to13, where they will have the opportunity to express themselves by drawing celestial objects.

In a unique pre-conference event on Monday, August 3, a tour will be offered to the Brookhaven National Laboratories, where cutting edge physics is being done including work on the Hadron Collider. On the same tour, guests will visit the facility of Spectrum Thin Films, where coatings are deposited on filters for NASA space probes such as the NASA’s Mars Phoenix Lander project, and Astronomical light pollution filters and other optics used by amateurs.

For additional information visit www.alcon2009.org. Registration for one day is $40 per person. Registration for both days is $65. There are student and children rates available.
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