NCRAL VISION 2022

May 13-14, 2022 at the Lakeview Conference Center in Port Washington, WI

Thank you for your interest in NCRAL VISION 2022! After the Covid-19 pandemic forced us to cancel our 2020 event, it is re-born for 2022. The Northern Cross Science Foundation is pleased to be hosting the first in-person AL-related convention (anywhere) since 2019. We have packed an enticing array of activities and world-class speakers to make your convention experience enjoyable and memorable. Read on to discover all that awaits you when you attend NCRAL VISION 2022, and find all of the information you need to reserve your seat today!

SCHEDULE

This is the current NCRAL VISION 2022 conference schedule (subject to change):

Friday

10:00am	Registration Desk Opens
1:00pm	Library Telescope Workshop
3:00pm	Lynda Schweikert
4:00pm	Dr. Dennis Roscoe
5:00pm	Dinner (on your own)
8:00pm	Observatory Open House

Saturday

8:30am	Welcome & Announcements
9:00am	Dr. William Dirienzo
10:00am	Dr. John Friedman
11:00am	Kate Meredith
12:00pm	Lunch (catered)
1:00pm	David Prosper
2:00pm	Bob King
3:00pm	Dr. Alison Klesman
4:00pm	NCRAL Council Meeting
5:30pm	Cocktail Hour (cash bar)
6:00pm	Dinner and Awards
7:00pm	Dr. Francis Halzen

SPEAKERS

Our theme is “Vision 2022” which will have new meaning in a post-pandemic world. We have re-confirmed an exciting list of speakers:

Dr. William Dirienzo, Assistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Sheboygan Campus: “ALMA and Large Observatories in the Era of Big Science”
Lynda Schweikert, Iowa County Astronomers: “Space For All: Welcoming Newcomers To Your Astronomy Club”
Dr.John Friedman, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: “Alchemy And Stardust”
Dr. Alison Klesman, Senior Associate Editor of Astronomy magazine: “Multiwavelength Astronomy”
Kate Meredith, Founder & Director of Education at Geneva Lake Astrophysics & STEAM: “Double Vision — GLAS Education’s View of Astronomy Education”
David Prosper, Program Manager for Amateur Astronomy at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific & Administrator of the NASA Night Sky Network: “What’s New at NASA’s Night Sky Network?”
Dr. Dennis Roscoe, Astronomy Instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Waukesha Campus: “Next Generation Telescopes”
“Astro” Bob King, Retired Photo Editor of the Duluth News Tribune, publisher of “Astro Bob” blog since 2008, contributing author for Sky & Telescope and Universe Today, author of two astronomy books: “New Frontiers In Naked-Eye Observing”
Banquet Speaker: Dr. Francis Halzen, Gregory Breit Professor and Hilldale Professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Principal Investigator of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica: “Ice Fishing For Neutrinos”

ASTROPHOTO CONTEST

We will be hosting a friendly astrophotography contest at NCRAL VISION 2022! Take a look at the rules and use the entry forms to enter; we look forward to showcasing the imaging talent on our Region.

ACTIVITIES

Additional activities on Friday afternoon and evening include:

a Library Telescope workshop showing some of the construction steps as well as lessons learned from our experience with the program
a tour of the Jim & Gwen Plunkett Observatory at nearby Harrington Beach State Park, which features some upgrades to the building and the instrumentation since our previous NCRAL hosting.
a rousing game of Astronomy Bingo!

MEALS

Friday dinner is on your own, although with the planned on-site activities we recommend availing yourself of the hotel restaurant to stay close to the action — menu is extensive, and includes several traditional Friday Fish Fry selections.

Saturday lunch and dinner meals will be catered, served buffet-style, and are included as part of your convention registration:

Lunch

Hot ham & pineapple
Chicken tips with cream of mushroom sauce
Mashed potatoes
Glazed carrots
Dinner rolls w/butter

Dinner

Pepper steak
Chicken schnitzel
Sautéed tilapia
Greek potatoes
Rice
Green beans
Tossed salad
Greek salad
Dinner rolls w/butter
NCRAL VISION 2022 Celebration Cake

Coffee, water and light snacks will also be provided throughout the convention.

Note that the convention hotel provides a hot breakfast each morning for those staying on-site.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

We are excited to host you at NCRAL Vision 2022! You may sign up using either traditional printable forms, or you may sign up online:

PLEASE NOTE: We will be putting in our food order on Friday, April 29, 2022. While we will be taking registrations at the door (which will include the meals), we ask that people register beforehand so we can be sure to accommodate as many attendees as possible. Unless you truly don’t know until the last minute if you can attend, please register for NCRAL VISION 2022 ahead of time — it will help us all greatly in our planning and execution of the convention. Thanks!

If you would like to use the paper registration forms and mail in your information and payment, download the PDF.

If you want to sign up online, there are three steps to getting yourself set up for this astronomical experience:

Step 1 — Register for NCRAL Vision 2022 here.
Step 2 — Purchase NCRAL Vision 2022 apparel to be picked up at the conference here.
Step 3 — Secure lodging, if needed (see below)

Questions? Email us.

LODGING

We have a block of rooms at the conference hotel reserved for NCRAL Vision 2022 guests. Most are double queen, but some are single king. They are all offered at the same discounted rate of $113/night (plus tax) based on double occupancy. Additional occupants for these rooms are $10/night (plus tax). All registered guests will enjoy full use of the hotel facilities, including indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness room, game room, and full hot breakfast each morning. Our block of rooms will be open until April 30, 2022, and is limited in number, so don’t delay! Call the Country Inn & Suites in Port Washington, WI at (262) 284-2100 and ask for the NCRAL Convention rate. You may also want to peruse their website.