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The scene at an AAS meeting always follows the same script of activities. The first day, we all arrive, get settled into our hotels, and then head over to the "venue" to get registered and visit with folks we haven't seen maybe since the last AAS meeting. Then, the first night is taken up with a reception that features finger food and booze. The running joke is that it's always listed as "hors d'oeuvres not to be construed as dinner." And, it's usually a LOT of great finger food. Tonight's AAS reception was no different -- but it's the first time I've EVER seen lobster macaroni and cheese on the bill of fare. It was amazing.
Well, hey. Astronomers gotta eat, too. And, it's hard work catching up on the latest missions, observations, class work, research, etc. with our colleagues.
I decided to take a little time before everything got started to see a bit of Seattle. Peter Michaud (the PIO for Gemini Observatory) and I decided to walk over to the Space Needle, (the quintessential landmark of this city).
Carolyn and the Space Needle
It gets pretty windy and cold up there this time of year, but does afford a nice view of the city. That visit was followed by a nice pizza and some root beer, before we headed back to the convention center. I had volunteered to help Peter set up the Gemini exhibit (and since I do a lot of editing and some writing for their observatory press releases, web releases, and other publications (they're one of my most faithful clients)), I figured it would be fun to help out.
After that, it was time for the infamous AAS reception (mentioned above), where I ran into Phil Plait (the Bad Astronomer) and Pamela Gay, who is the astro-brains behind Astronomy Cast. We all geeked out in fannish admiration of each other, although as you can see below, some admired more than others (as Phil and Pamela demonstrated willingly for the camera).
Seriously though, it's always fun to get together with these guys to talk astro-blogging shop. Which we did for quite a while. Then, I circulated around the crowd a bit, finally running into Peter Michaud, Scott Fisher (both of Gemini Observatory) and Scott Isbell, the PIO at National Optical Astronomy Observatories (headquartered in Tucson).
There are more than 2,000 astronomers in attendance at this meeting; the papers and presentations start in earnest tomorrow (Sunday) and I'll do my best to bring more to you as it happens!
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