View the Heavens at Hobbs State Park
by August 31, 2015 11:25 am 121 views
Hobbs State Park and the Sugar Creek Astronomical Society extend an invitation to the public to learn more about our night skies.
Three planets will be visible on September 12; Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn. Far away Neptune and Uranus will appear as small blue and blue green dots, while Saturn, with its spectacular rings, will be the main planetary show. In addition to the three planets in our own solar system we will observe astronomical structures and stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way.
Participants will observe a beautiful double star, Albireo, in the constellation Cygnus the Swan. Albireo appears as a single star to the naked eye, but our telescopes will resolve the apparent single star into an amber colored star and its blue companion. Double stars are gravitationally bound, revolve around a common center of gravity, and are quite common.
The Summer Triangle will be high overhead as usual this time of year. The triangle is formed by three bright stars: Deneb, Altair and Vega. Deneb is in the constellation Cygnus the Swan. This constellation is also known as the Northern Cross.
Star clusters abound in our galaxy and in all galaxies. A globular cluster is an almost spherical collection of stars that are very tightly bound by gravity . These vast cosmological structures are very old, and formed before the first galaxies, billions of years ago.
A beginners Astronomy class will be conducted beginning at 6:30 pm. Night sky viewing using binoculars, telescopes, and the naked eye will begin shortly after sunset, around 7:30. Bring your own telescope, or view through the powerful scopes provided by the Sugar Creek Astronomical society.
All ages are invited. Astronomy is a family event as well as a great Boy or Girl Scout outing.
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 Hwy 12/War Eagle Road intersection.
When: Saturday September 12, 2015 – Beginning Astronomy Class at 6:30 pm – Night sky viewing at 7:30 pm
Cost: FREE – Public invited
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/