High in the Andes Mountains of Chile some of the world’s most powerful telescopes are opening new windows into the universe. Local science educator and amateur astronomer Susan Rolke was recently named one of 10 individuals worldwide selected for the Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassadors Program (ACEAP). As part of the 2024 ACEAP cohort, Rolke received behind-the-scenes access to several of Chile’s large research observatories. At one of them, she traveled to the telescope array on the Chajnantor Plateau at 16,500 feet, an extreme environment where supplemental oxygen is required and very few individuals have had the opportunity to visit.

Join us tonight to learn about Rolke's unique experiences in Chile, and about the critical role these observatories will play in the future of astronomy, from uncovering the origins of the universe to mapping the ever-changing night sky in ways never before possible. Very few people outside of professional astronomers will ever step inside these facilities, but Rolke will bring her audience along for the journey.

After the talk, if time and weather allow, we'll head outside to observe the night sky with Keene Amateur Astronomers. We'll hope to see Saturn, star clusters, and nebulae with their telescope!