View the Heavens at Hobbs State Park

January is a Great Month to View the Heavens at Hobbs State Park

Six times a year the Sugar Creek Astronomical Society of Bella Vista conducts astronomy programs and night viewing “star parties” at Hobbs State Park.  The next event is scheduled for January 17th.  This should be a great night for observing with telescope, binoculars or just using the unaided eyes!

According to the astronomical society’s president, Katherine Auld, “This night we will see something very rare: six planets parading across the ecliptic.  At sunset, Venus will blaze brightly in the western sky and Mercury will lie very close to Venus.  We will challenge you to pick out dimmer Mercury, our smallest planet, in the glare of Venus.

The winter sky is the best time of year for observing deep sky objects.  Our galactic neighbor, the Andromeda galaxy, will be overhead, and we shall see the shape of this enormous structure comprised of hundreds of billions of stars.  The Andromeda galaxy is over two million light years away from the earth.

The beginner’s Astronomy Class includes an introduction to amateur astronomy, orientation to the night sky, plus a special topic each visit to the Park.  Observation using binoculars, telescopes and the naked eye will follow.
Bring your family and join us as we observe the spectacle in winter’s night sky!”

What to Bring:  
• Flashlight (covered with a red cloth or red balloon)
• Binoculars and/or telescope (if you have)
• Folding chair – one per person
• Star chart (if you have one)

Where:  Hobbs State Park visitor center located on Hwy 12 just east of the Hwy12/War Eagle Road intersection.
When:  Saturday January 17, 2015       Beginning Astronomy Class at 4:30 pm   
           Night sky viewing at 5:30 pm
Cost:  FREE – Public invited