We're pleased to announce the return of Sky & Telescope magazine Senior Editor Kelly Beatty as our guest speaker for the December GAAC Holiday Party, at 8:00 pm on Friday December 13 at the Lanesville Community Center <https://maps.app.goo.gl/pntHAopkhrjho6XR9>. Kelly's talk this year is titled "Space Rocks and Shooting Stars," and will first provide an easy-to-grasp understanding of meteors, with an emphasis on annual meteor showers such as the Perseids and Leonids. You'll learn what happens when bits of rock slam into Earth’s upper atmosphere at 60 miles per second. Then, we'll delve into the world of meteorites, chunks of asteroid that survive their atmospheric passage and reach the ground. During an average year more than 17,000 meteorites the size of golf balls or larger — more than 18 tons in all — fall somewhere on our planet. Kelly will explain how these objects make their journey here from the depths of interplanetary space, and show us the difference between a true meteorite and a “meteor-wrong,” why some are more valuable than others, and how you can easily start your own collection of these remarkable stones. We hope you will be able to join us on the 13th for a fun and informative talk, great snacks and conversation, and of course lots of free parking. Zoom information is below, for those who cannot be here in person. _________ Topic: GAAC December 13 2024 Time: Dec 13, 2024 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81806499401?pwd=mnemQbrA0NnMDINjsgeo6WG2Vtglxj.1 Meeting ID: 818 0649 9401 Passcode: 501623 --- One tap mobile +13052241968,,81806499401#,,,,*501623# US +13092053325,,81806499401#,,,,*501623# US --- Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbqD5IJcs6