ALCon 2024 speakers, venue, and address

The Astronomical Society of Kansas City (ASKC) is celebrating its 100th anniversary by hosting the Astronomical League Convention (ALCon 2024) from July 17 to July 20. The event will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Overland Park, Kansas.

ALCon 2024: Stars and All That Jazz

ALCon 2024, themed "Stars and All That Jazz," will feature a variety of activities and presentations.

• Gottlieb Planetarium: A private presentation will be held at the planetarium located in Union Station, downtown Kansas City, MO.
• Linda Hall Library: Renowned guest speaker David Levy will present, and attendees will have the chance to see rare books, including Galileo's "Siderius Nuncius."
• Powell Observatory: ASKC member and astronomy student Rachel Cionitti will give a presentation, followed by stargazing with the 30-inch Ruisinger Telescope, weather permitting. This visit will include a stop at Overland Park Arboretum for a StarBQ dinner featuring Kansas City-style BBQ.
• Banquet: The event will feature a local jazz band and a talk by Stephon Alexander, a physics and astronomy professor at Brown University, who will discuss his book "The Jazz of Physics."

ALCon 2024 venue and address

• DoubleTree by Hilton Kansas City
• Address: 10100 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210
   

ALCon 2024 events schedule

Wednesday, July 17th, 2024

8:30 AM – Astronomical League General Council Meeting
4:30 PM – Dinner available at hotel
6:00 PM – Coach leaves for Gottlieb Planetarium at Union Station
9:00 PM – Coach returns to DoubleTree
 

Thursday, July 18th, 2024

8:00 AM – Buffet Breakfast
9:00 AM – Opening Remarks by Carroll Iorg
10:00 AM – Break
10:30 AM – Allison Kirkpatrick: The James Webb Space Telescope: Revealing the Secrets of an Invisible Universe
11:30 AM – Jen Winter: When’s The Next One? – Keeping The Dream Alive Between Eclipses
12:30 PM – Buffet Lunch
1:30 PM – Keivan Stassun: New Methods for Measuring The Fundamental Properties of Stars and Exoplanets
2:30 PM – Ryan Maderak: Topic TBD
3:30 PM – Break
4:00 PM – Robert Reeves: Topic TBD
5:00 PM – Dinner available at hotel
6:00 PM – Coach leaves for Linda Hall Library, David Levy Presentation and Rare Books Room
9:00 PM – Coach returns to DoubleTree

Friday, July 19th, 2024

8:00 AM – Buffet Breakfast
9:00 AM – Mitch Cloud and Jena Dunham: Exploring Space with Ham Radio
10:00 AM – Break
10:30 AM – President’s Panel
11:30 AM – Ryan Goodson: Topic TBD
12:30 PM – Buffet Lunch and Book Signing with David Levy
1:30 PM – AL Youth Awards
2:30 PM – AL Business Meeting
3:30 PM – Scott Harrington: Topic TBD
3:30 PM – AL Observing Awards Coordination Meeting (committee only)
4:30 PM – Coach leaves for Star-B-Q at Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
7:30 PM – Coach leaves for Powell Observatory, Rachel Cionitti: Dark Matter and Dark Energy and Stargazing
10:00 PM – Coach returns to DoubleTree

Saturday, July 20th, 2024

8:00 AM – Buffet Breakfast
9:00 AM – Garrett Parkins: Artemis Mission
10:00 AM – Break
10:30 AM – Bill Wren: Topic TBD
11:30 AM – Tim Russ: Topic TBD
12:30 PM – Buffet Lunch and Autograph Session with Tim Russ
1:30 PM – David McCallie: Live-Stacking at Powell Observatory
2:30 PM – Stuart Riley: Solar Observation – Solar Photography
3:30 PM – Break
4:00 PM – Dave Walden: Collimation Workshop
5:00 PM – Awards Banquet with Waldo Jazz Collective and Keynote Speaker Stephon Alexander: Topic TBD

ALCon 2024 speakers

• Dr. Stephon Alexander: A physicist, musician, and author, Dr. Alexander explores the connections between cosmology, particle physics, and jazz.
• Dr. Allison Kirkpatrick: An observational astrophysicist known for her research on supermassive black holes, with work featured in major publications.
• Dr. David Levy: An Emmy Award-winning amateur astronomer and co-discoverer of Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9.
• Dr. Keivan Stassun: A physicist and advocate for diversity in STEM, currently serving on the National Science Board.
• Mr. Tim Russ: Actor and amateur astronomer, best known for his role in "Star Trek: Voyager."
• Jena Dunham, DNP: A passionate amateur astronomer and Director of Medical Services at Pawnee Mental Health Services.
• Rachel Cionitti: A graduate student in physics with an emphasis on astronomy, active in research and outreach.
• David McCallie, MD: A retired medical informatics expert turned astrophotographer, involved with ASKC since 2019.
• Ryan Goodson: Founder of New Moon Telescopes, dedicated to engaging the next generation of astronomers.
• Stuart Riley, Ph.D.: A longtime astronomy enthusiast and educator, recipient of ASKC’s Helen A. Warkoczewski Award.
• William "Bill" Wren: Retired from McDonald Observatory, active in dark sky preservation and public outreach.
• Robert Reeves: An experienced lunar photographer and author, known for his contributions to amateur astronomy.
   

ALCon 2024 sponsors

• Explore Scientific
• Midwest Telescopes
• Daystar Filters
• New Moon Telescopes (nmt)