by Ira Polans, Program Chair

Filmmaker David Gaynes

The February meeting will be held on the 9th at 7:30 PM in Peyton Hall on the Princeton University campus. The talk will be by award-winning filmmaker David Gaynes regarding his documentary film “Saving Hubble”. For background on the film please see http://www.savinghubble.com/about/. Please note that the meeting will not be a showing of the film due to time restrictions. Rather David will share his experiences making the film.

Please refer to the UPDATE for details regarding a pre-meeting showing of the film.

 “Saving Hubble” (2012) is David’s second feature length documentary and is a fresh and original telling of the Hubble Space Telescope story, exploring the cultural, political, and spiritual significance of Hubble in addition to the telescope’s scientific importance. Of specific interest to the film is the chapter in Hubble history that began in 2004 with the proposed (and ultimately unsuccessful) cancellation of the telescope. The film tracks Hubble’s fight for survival, documenting the unexpected and transformational grassroots movement that led to its eventual reinstatement and servicing by space shuttle astronauts in Spring 2009.

David Gaynes is an independent filmmaker whose work has been presented theatrically around the world. He recently completed his third feature length documentary, Next Year Jerusalem, which tells the story of eight frail elders who leave the comfort and security of their nursing home to make one final pilgrimage. Keeper of the Kohn (2005), his debut feature, is the story of an autistic man caring for a dying friend and won awards at film festivals across the country, was seen on public television and can be viewed on Hulu. David is an accomplished documentary cinematographer, having photographed the award-winning All Me: The Life and Times of Winfred Rembert (2011) among other films.

A trailer and additional information about the film are available at the Saving Hubble website: http://www.savinghubble.com.

Prior to the meeting, there will be a meet-the-speaker dinner at Winberies, Palmer Square in Princeton at 5:45PM. This is 15 minutes earlier than the usual start time. If you wish to attend please email program@princetonastronomy.org no later than noon on February 9.

The meet-the-speaker dinner is cancelled. Please refer to the UPDATE for details regarding a pre-meeting showing of the film.