“PERSPECTIVES ON DISTANCE”

“Perspectives” uses props and graphics to examine relative distances in the universe and the possible distances achievable through space flight and through the use of human vision and amateur and professional telescopes. Examining scales from the human altitude record to the four cosmological horizons imposed by an expanding universe, the program discusses astrophysicists’ current thinking on the biggest questions about the universe: How far can we see, how far will we be able to see, and how big might the universe be? The program ends with thoughts on our size as human observers. 

CHUCK ALLEN

Chuck is current president and also past-president of the 24,000-member Astronomical League. He has given over 550 public presentations to schools and universities, scientific societies, conventions, and other public audiences. He is a League gold-level master observer with 43 observing programs completed and is also a G. R. Wright Award recipient. Chuck coordinates three League observing programs, co-chaired ALCon ‘21 Virtual, and founded the League's National Young Astronomer Award in 1993. He is program chair of of the Evansville Astronomical Society, past president of the Louisville Astronomical Society, and a past judge and lead judge for the International Science and Engineering Fair. He has been an amateur astronomer since age seven.