Photo: Prof. Timothy Glotch is seen here holding a model of the Moon. Photo credit: John Griffin.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND THIS FREE HYBRID EVENT VIA ZOOM (NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND IN-PERSON):
Hamptons Observatory (HO), a 501(c)(3) NYS nonprofit that relies on public support has served the South Fork since 2005. Hamptons Observatory offers all of its programs free-of-charge so that everyone can enjoy the wonders of their Universe. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help support our work. Thanks!
Hybrid Astronomy Lecture:
“Exploring the Moon in the Age of Artemis” (A Free, Hybrid Lecture)
SPEAKER: Prof. Timothy Glotch, Geosciences Chair, Stony Brook University
CO-HOST: Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University
To Attend In-Person: There's no need to register, just show up. The talk will be held in the Earth & Space Sciences Building, Room 001, at Stony Brook University, in Stony Brook, NY. For directions click HERE or call the Geosciences Department 631-632-8200.
To Attend Virtually: Please register using this link: https://bit.ly/ArtemisTalk
On November 20, 2026, at 7:30 PM, ET, Hamptons Observatory and co-host Stony Brook University’s Department of Geosciences will present a free, hybrid lecture, “Exploring the Moon in the Age of Artemis.”
Earlier this year, NASA announced that Prof. Timothy Glotch was chosen to be one of just 10 scientists on the first geology team that is tasked with shaping the science plan for astronauts on the lunar surface. In addition to planning the surface exploration, he will support the science team at NASA’s Mission Control in Houston during Artemis mission operations.
There have been a series of missions under the “Artemis” rubric, which is an international program led by NASA and involves the European (ESA), Japanese (JAXA), Canadian (CSA), and other space agencies; it is evolving over time into a sustainable science and exploration venture. The purpose of the Artemis IV mission is to return astronauts to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years; the launch is planned for early 2028.
In this talk, Prof. Glotch will outline the goals of the Artemis IV mission and provide a fascinating overview of lunar geology. He will unravel the Moon's dramatic 4.5-billion-year origin story—from a catastrophic collision with a Mars-sized planet that created oceans of molten magma, to the cooling of its white crust and its massive volcanic floods. He will then dive into the unique geology of the Moon’s south polar region of the Moon where the astronauts will land, highlighting the groundbreaking studies they will conduct during their exploration of the lunar surface.
Prof. Timothy Glotch is the Chairperson of Stony Brook University’s Department of Geosciences. He is a planetary geologist whose research interests are include (1) remote sensing of the surfaces of the Moon, Mars, Earth, and small bodies, (2) laboratory spectroscopic measurements of minerals, extraterrestrial samples and their analogs in simulated lunar and asteroid environments, and (3) micro-Raman and nano-infrared spectroscopy of terrestrial and extraterrestrial samples. His Planetary Spectroscopy Research Group primarily uses data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner, Mars Global Surveyor TES, Mars Odyssey THEMIS, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter CRISM, and OSIRIS-REx OTES instruments. From 2013-2025, Tim was the Principal Investigator for nodes of NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI). He was a Participating Scientist for the asteroid proximity operations phase of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, and is currently a Co-Investigator on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment (DLRE) science team. As a Brookhaven National Laboratory joint appointee, Tim also works to identify potential signatures of uranium mining and milling activities from orbital hyperspectral imagers as part of the Department of Energy's nuclear nonproliferation efforts.
Hamptons Observatory extends its thanks to the Department of Geosciences at Stony Brook University for its kind collaboration and Prof. Tim Glotch for sharing his expertise.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND VIA ZOOM: https://bit.ly/ArtemisTalk
Hamptons Observatory (HO), a 501(c)(3) New York State nonprofit since 2005. Its mission: to foster interest in science, particularly astronomy, through educational programs. Lectures, star parties, portable planetarium shows and other events are held frequently and often in collaboration with other nonprofit organizations. HO is actively fundraising to replace its East Hampton-based, non-operational observatory with a fully functional facility. Once established, it will be used for in-person events, as well as accessible remotely to students, researchers, educators and the general public. All of HO’s public programs are free of charge so that everyone has the opportunity to learn about and enjoy the wonders of the universe. Instead of charging membership dues and admission fees, HO relies exclusively on (and deeply appreciates) donations from individuals such as you. Donations to support our programs are needed and deeply appreciated regardless of the amount. To make a tax-deductible donation to support our mission, please click HERE. Thanks!
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