Astronomy for Kids

If you have not ever been to one of the enjoyable astronomy programs at Hobbs State Park, this Saturday would be a great one to attend.  Adults will enjoy the activities too, but most are designed for children.

From 6:00 p.m. until sunset, enjoy solar viewing.  NEVER EVER look directly at the Sun, with your naked eye or through a telescope, as this will cause immediate and permanent blindness.  The Sugar Creek Astronomical Society will have a telescope at Hobbs State Park fitted with a special solar viewing lens.  You will see black “sunspots”.  Sunspots are darker, cooler areas on the surface of the sun in a region called the photosphere.  They look dark because the area around them is hotter.   Sunspots occur over regions of intense magnetic activity, and when that energy is released, solar flares and big storms called coronal mass ejections erupt from sunspots.

Other hands-on activities will be held from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  They include:
• Oreo cookie moon phases
• Distances in the solar system
• Orbits in our solar system
• How to choose and use a telescope (For the adults while the kids do the hands-on activities)
• Observation using binoculars, telescopes and the naked eye will begin around 8:00 p.m.

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 April 25, 2015  Activities begin at 6:00 p.m.
Cost:  FREE
For more information call:  479-789-5000
To learn more about upcoming Friends of Hobbs speakers and other park programs, go to the web site: http://www.friendsofhobbs.com.