Sugar Creek Astronomical Society to Present Star Party at Hobbs State Park
by July 9, 2015 1:04 pm 141 views
The Sugar Creek Astronomical Society is getting set for a night that will be nothing short of spectacular, beginning with a beautiful, slim crescent moon. The planets Venus and Jupiter follow. Then comes the bright star Regulus in the western sky at sunset. This will be one of the most wonderful sights of the year! It’s an opportunity to allow you to take pictures from your cell phones and email them to your friends and family.
Saturn will be high in the southern sky. Through our telescopes we will see the planet’s truly awe inspiring rings and four brightest moons: Titan, Tethys, Dione and Rhea.
There are deep sky objects in abundance, including the globular star cluster designated as M13 in the constellation Hercules. This ancient cluster, sometimes called The Great Cluster, is packed with several hundred thousand stars. It is located about 100 light years away from us. Our telescopes will be able to pick out streamers of stars radiating out from the center of the cluster.
We will observe the Ring Nebula in the constellation Lyra. The nebula was formed by the death throes of a star similar to our own Sun, a fate our own Sun will meet about 5 billion years from now.
In addition to other clusters, nebulae and a distant galaxy or two, we will observe one of the most famous double star systems, Albireo, in the constellation Cygnus.
The program begins at 7:30 pm and includes finding your way around the night sky and night sky observing, the Constellation of the Month, and a special presentation.
Observation using binoculars, telescopes and the naked eye will begin shortly after sunset: around 8:30.
What to bring:
• A folding chair (for the night viewing time)
• A flashlight with the lens covered by a red balloon or red cloth
• Binoculars: (Large telescopes will be provided.)
• The entire family and enjoy the summer night sky at Hobbs State Park.
Where: Hobbs State Park visitor center located on Hwy 12 just east of the Hwy 12/War Eagle Road Intersection
When: Saturday July 18, 2015 Class 7:30 p.m. with night viewing at 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more information call: 479-789-5000
For information on other Park programs and events go to: friendsofhobbs.com