SpaceFest 2026

SpaceFest 2026

Celebrating 150 years of KU Astronomy -- and the life & career of Prof. Sergei Shandarin.
Friday, May 8, 2026.

Details will be below!

Description:

Welcome to SpaceFest 2026, our celebration of Professor Sergei Shandarin's successful career at KU --- and of 150 years of Astronomy at KU.

We invite past and present students, colleagues, alumni, and friends to join us here at KU in Malott Hall on Friday, May 8th to help celebrate. Stick around: the annual department banquet will take place that same evening.

Email Prof. Ian Crossfield (ianc@ku.edu) with questions or to RSVP. 

Location & Time:  TBD

Provisional plan: 12-4pm in Malott Hall

 

Program:  TBD

 

Confirmed Attendees:

  • Humberto Campins (BS '77)
  • Mark Paonessa (PhD '84)
  • Ramona Kessel (BS '87)
  • Robert Kessel (PhD '87)
  • Scott Randle (BS '87)
  • Colleen McKee (BS '87)
  • Brian Thomas (PhD '06)
  • Josh Macy (BS '17)
  • Alex Ford (PhD '17)
  • Michael Sitarz (PhD '24)
  • David Kolb (alum)
  • Torry Crass (alum)
  • Chuck Wehner (Astronomy Associates of Lawrence)
  • Rick Heschmeyer (Astronomy Associates of Lawrence)
  • Reid Nelson (Astronomy Associates of Lawrence)
  • Conor Taft (KUEA)
  • Prof. Steve Shawl (KU Faculty)
  • Prof. Barbara Anthony-Twarog (KU Faculty)
  • Prof. David Besson (KU Faculty)
  • Prof. Phil Baringer (KU Faculty)
  • Prof. Ian Crossfield (KU Faculty)
  • Prof. Greg Rudnick (KU Faculty)
  • Prof. Jennifer Delgado (KU Faculty)
  • Prof. KC Kong (KU Faculty)
  • Prof. Chad Kraus (KU Faculty)
  • Prof. Chris Fischer (Department Chair)
  • .... your name here!  (email ianc@ku.edu) 

 

Possible Attendees:

  • Nesar Ramachandra (alum)
  • Nurur Rahman
  • Ethen Schmidt
  • .... your name here!  (email ianc@ku.edu) 

 

Other Events:

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