Come learn all about the Sun! In this program, SUNY New Paltz Astronomy Professor and Planetarium Director, Raj Pandya, will discuss our star – the Sun. Learn about sunspots, solar flares, and other solar activity that causes the beautiful aurora borealis. If weather permits, we will also observe the Sun using a safe solar filter and telescope. Appropriate for ages 10 and up.
Raj Pandya earned a B.S. in applied Physics from RPI in 2006 and an M.S. in Astronomy from SDSU in 2008. He became the Director of the John R. Kirk Planetarium and a full time lecturer in the department of Physics and Astronomy at SUNY New Paltz in fall 2011. He teaches introductory and upper level courses in astronomy, and physics I and II labs. As Planetarium Director he develops, organizes, promotes, and presents live planetarium shows for the campus community and the regional public. He is also the faculty advisor of the student astronomy club at New Paltz, the “Cosmic Club”. Raj is originally from Westchester, New York and currently lives in New Paltz.