Barry Olson is an amateur astronomer and space exploration historian. As a longtime member of the Lethbridge Astronomy Society, Barry enjoys sharing and talking about the wonders of the cosmos. He is also a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and the Planetary Society. Barry is a retired agricultural research scientist with a background in soil and water quality. Barry has lived in Lethbridge for the past 37 years.

Festival Session Barry Olson

The Sun and Its Spots
The Sun is the nearest star to us and is a central feature in our solar system. This presentation will cover the age and history of the Sun, what the Sun is made of, and how it functions. The solar cycle and sunspot formation will also be covered. A few tips on how to safely observe the Sun will be provided.
[Book The Sun and Its Spots Here]

The Solar System: Our Cosmic Backyard
The cosmos is so vast, the solar system can be considered our backyard astronomically speaking. The presentation will provide a general overview of our solar system including how it formed, the Sun, the planets, and moons. The difference between asteroids and comets will also be covered as well as where comets come from. Many solar system objects can be viewed with binoculars or small telescopes.
[Book The Solar System Here]

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