The April 25 meeting of the RASC Mississauga Centre will feature a talk on a new method of photographing faint astronomical objects.

Ultra-low Surface Brightness Imaging with

Project Dragonfly

Speaker: Dr. Roberto Abraham, University of Toronto

Dr. Abraham will describe early results from Project Dragonfly, a Toronto/Yale instrument concept whose goal is to open up the new observational regime of ultra low surface brightness astronomy at visible wavelengths. Its design is optimized for testing the most fundamental prediction of galaxy formation models, namely that at low surface brightness levels all galaxies are embedded within a sea of complex substructure. The project couples innovative observing techniques (multiple redundant unobstructed beam paths and real-time modeling of sky variations for precision control of systematics) with new technologies, such as sub-wavelength nano-fabricated optical coatings to minimize scattered light and ghosting. 

The meeting will be held from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. at The University of Toronto,
Mississauga Campus, in lecture hall SE2082 in the William Davis Building. The meeting is open to the public and is free.   

Directions: Enter off of Mississauga Road. Park in lot 4 or the parkade, across from the fitness centre south of the
Davis Building. Enter through the Fitness centre, walk up the stairs until
you reach the main corridor then turn right. (If you need an elevator,
follow the corridor to the right of the stairs, then go up to the main
floor.) Look for the Mississauga Centre sign in front of the lecture room.
 

Post meeting plans: we usually continue the discussion post-meeting at a local bar – please join us!