Arizona - East Valley Astronomy Club
Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory will be open Saturday May 10th during the daylight hours from 10 am for solar observing. After sunset we will be open for an evening of public viewing through a 16" LX200R. We are located in the Riperian Preserve at Water Park in Gilbert AZ, ( just east of Greenfield and Guadalupe) The observatory is staffed by volunteers from the East Valley Astronomy Club. For info about the observatory see www.eastvalleyastronomy.org
British Columbia - Sunshine Coast Astronomy Club - Astronomy Day
The Sunshine Coast Astronomy Club is located in Sechelt BC Canada. We will celebrate Astronomy Day 2008 on May 10th by a presentation in an empty store in Trail Bay Mall Sechelt. The presentation will include a host of Telescopes, a Power Point presentation,A Membership area, Junior Astronomers table and Door Prizes. In the evening the Astronomy Club will host an Evening Under the Stars at Snicket Park on the Shores of Trail Bay. All are welcome.
California - Astronomy Day 2008 at Valencia Library
The Local Group Astronomy Club will host their annual Astronomy Day celebration at the Valencia Library on Saturday May 10, 2008. There will be many static displays, giveaways, and informative lectures held throughout the afternoon. Our group was awarded an Honorable Mention for Astronomy Day in 2004. Lecture Schedule 1:00 The Spring Sky- Maxwell Ward 2:00 Build a Simple Telescope-Fun for Youngsters-Christian Borao 3:00 Kitchen Comets-Jim Mahon 4:15 How Big is Big-How Far is Far? Richard Wade-Back by popular demand. Weather permitting, solar observation using special filters for safety during the afternoon. Night sky observation will be in the parking lot starting after 7:30. Sunset is at 8:00 pm Objects of interest will be our Moon and Saturn ! If you have an interest in Astronomy or have questions about how to use that dusty telescope in your garage or attic come by and ask us. For more info or to reserve a telescope for the 2:00 lecture (we have twenty) please contact Steve Petzold at Petz2@aol.com or 661-609-1739. Web site http://www.LGSCV.org Dark Skies and Starry Nights ! Valencia Library is located at 23743 W. Valencia Blvd Valencia, CA 91355
California - Astronomy Day at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
Join the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit to celebrate National Astronomy Day! Enjoy hands-on demonstrations, displays, crafts, free resources for teachers, and planetarium shows. Free telescope to the winner of the kids' raffle (ages 12 and under). Don't forget about our evening events, including our telescope clinic and our star party!
Schedule of Events:
10:00 AM-2:00 PM: Hands-On Optics Family Workshop (Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network)
10:30 AM: Dry Ice Comet Demonstration
11:00 AM-4:00 PM: Crafts
12:30 PM: Rocket Launch
1:00 PM-3:00 PM: UCSB Physics Circus
2:30 PM: Rocket Launch
3:00 PM: Free Telescope Raffle Drawing Ongoing: Make Your Own Telescope (until supplies run out) Solar Viewing Mirror Grinding Demonstration Free Teachers Resources Astronomy "Yard Sale" Children's Activities Light Pollution Awareness (Women's Environmental Watch)
Planetarium Schedule:
11:00 AM - Twinkle, Twinkle for Little Stars
11:30 AM - Exploring the Spring Sky
12:30 PM - The Spring Sky for Little Dippers
1:00 PM - Black Holes
2:00 PM - Exploring the Spring Sky
3:15 PM - Origins of Life
4:00 PM - Exploring the Spring Sky
National Astronomy Day community partners include UCSB Physics Circus; Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network; Santa Barbara Infrared, Inc.; Acumen Scientific; Women's Environmental Watch. Cost: All activities free with paid admission; planetarium admission $4/person for nonmembers. Contact: For more information about this event, please call our Astronomy Information line at 805-682-4711 ext. 405 or email astro@sbnature2.org.
Chile - Observatorio del Pangue International Star Party
International Star Party organized by the brand new public observatory under the pristine skies of Chile on May 10, 2008. Latitude is 30º South. The nearest city is Vicuña, a small town 16km (10 mi.) ahead, then is La Serena, a large city 65km (40 mi.) farther which has an airport connected to the national capital, Santiago. Website: www.astronomicasur.org
Conneticut - The Children's Museusm, West Hartford, Connecticut
Join us for this year’s biggest star party. Throughout the day we’ll feature solar observing, telescope workshops, Astronomy 101 classes, hands-on activities and special NASA presentations all to increase the awareness about the profession and hobby of astronomy. We will be raffling off a Meade ETX-80 telescope made possible by Meade Instruments and Astronomy Magazine. Check our website for more details http://thechildrensmuseumct.org/index.asp . Sponsored in part by Cabot Creamery.
Florida - May 17, 2008 Brevard Astronomy Day, Cocoa, FL
Brevard Community College and the Brevard Astronomical Society have again teamed up to bring citizens of, and visitors to, the Space Coast a full day of Astronomy-related events. Kids activities include: make a scale model of the solar system, launch a pop-bottle rocket, and discover your weight on other planets. The BAS will have many telescopes set up for daytime solar viewing and night time viewing.
This year we add a slate of invited speakers, to include:
1pm: Tippy D’Auria – The Milky Way: It’s More Than Just a Candy Bar , FREE
2pm: Don Parker – TBD, FREE
3pm: Fiorella Terenzi – Sounds of the Universe; Acoustic Astronomy, FREE
4pm: Russell Romanella – NASA’s Exploration Mission, FREE
7pm: -- Planetarium Show -- The Sky Tonight, FREE 8pm: –
Jack Horkheimer -- Why Stargazing Is Fun; And How To Use Your Free Star Gazer Star Finder, FREE and a special showing at 9pm of our Beatles Laser Show.
Event runs from 1pm through 10pm or later, and is open to the public.
Georgia - National Astronomy Day 2008 - NASA Mission Update
Atlanta's NASA-JPL Solar System Ambassador will conduct an hour-long presentation at the Tucker-Reid H. Cofer library (http://www.dekalblibrary.org/programs/adult.htm) in celebration of National Astronomy Day 2008. The event will be held on Saturday May 10th at 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon. She will cover the recent discoveries from the Mars Exploration Rovers, the Hubble Space Telescope, Cassini, and the upcoming Phoenix Mars Lander mission along with an update on NASA's Constellation project and our quest to revisit the Moon.
Georgia - Astronomy and Space Day at Georgia Southern Planetarium, Statesboro, Georgia
Our event will be held on Saturday, April 26, 5-9pm at the Georgia Southern Planetarium in Statesboro, Georgia.
We'll have planetarium star shows each hour with astronomy videos, NASA Apollo lunar samples and more on display, astronomy demos/hands-on activities, paper rocket making and launching, solar viewing if clear outdoors, and after dark telescopic viewing of Saturn and more.
There will be sky maps and more for handouts.
This event is sponsored by the Georgia Southern University Department of Physics with volunteers from the Statesboro Astronomy Club and the Oglethorpe Astronomical Association.
For more information please call 912-478-5292 or visit http://cost.georgiasouthern.edu/planetarium/index.html
Idaho - Boise Astronomical Society Astronomy Day Activities
The Boise Astronomical Society will host a public viewing of the Sun and Moon starting at 10 a.m. MDT from the Discovery Center of Idaho in downtown Boise. We will be using our club's Coronado PST as well as a number of additional telescopes owned by club members.
Illinois - Astronomy Day at the Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL
It's National Astronomy Day, and there's no better place to celebrate it than at the Adler Planetarium. Enjoy hands-on activities all about the Sun! Activities are free with paid museum admission. No reservations are needed for educational activities.
Scheduled activities include the following:
• Grab free giveaways from Astronomy Magazine!
• Make a Solar Oven or a Pocket Sundial to take home
• See Northwestern University’s ‘Nergy solar car up close, currently on display at the Adler Planetarium
• Tour the Doane Observatory, home to Chicago’s largest publicly accessible telescope (weather permitting)
• See the Sun safely through our solar telescopes, including in the Doane Observatory (weather permitting)
• Learn about the solar spectrum in our “Solar Fingerprints” activity
(Note: The activity schedule is subject to change without prior notice.) Astronomy Day events at the Adler Planetarium are supported by Astronomy Magazine and Meade 4M. On Astronomy Day, don't miss your chance to sign up for the Meade ETX-80TC telescope giveaway or one of three one-year subscriptions to Astronomy Magazine! Entry forms for drawings will be available beginning at 1 pm. Drawings will be held at 3:45 pm. Winner need not be present to win. Winner is responsible for telescope shipping costs or picking up the telescope from the Adler Planetarium. For more information check the Adler Planetarium website at http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/
Illinois - Chicago Sidewalk Astronomy
Chicago IL May 10 See the Moon's craters & Saturn's rings---8-10PM--North & Wells Sts.
Illinois - Northwest Suburban Astronomers & Harper College Astronomy Day Event, Palatine IL
The Northwest Suburban Astronomers and William Rainey Harper College invite you to explore the wonders of the universe this Astronomy Day May 10, 2008 rain or shine beginning at 5:30 PM. Telescopes, displays, lectures and projects for all ages will be available. A public observing session will take place afterwards (weather permitting) outside the Campus Observatory with NSA members on hand to answer questions and conduct tours of the night sky. All ages are welcome and it's free.
When: Saturday, May 10, 2008 5:30 PM
Where: William Rainey Harper College
Roselle Road and Algonquin Road
Building Z
Use Algonquin Road Entrance, Parking Lots 2&3
Palatine, Illinois
Please visit our website for additional information at: www.nsaclub.org
India - Astronomy Day Celebration in Ahmedabad, India
Astronomy Day will be celebrated from three different locations in Ahmedabad, India. All the venues would be wheel chair friendly. Details on the main venue follows.
Date: 10th May, 2008 Time: 7 pm onwards Venue: Social Forestry Centre, Vanchetna, Opp Sunrise Park, Near Vastrapur Lake, Ahmedabad - 380 054, INDIA
Special attraction would be the Lunar Occultation of the Red Planet.
Entry FREE
India - Taare Sadak Par
A public skywatch is being organised at Birla Vidya Niketan, New Delhi, India to showcase the Mars occulatation by the Moon on May 10th 2008. About 10 volunteers are organising the event with 4 telescopes : 8" 5" 4" 3" newtonian reflectors would be arranged for the public. The observation begins at 1900 hours IST and winds up by 2130 hours IST. The main focus of the observation will be the occulatation. The 5" telescope will be coupled with a digicam to give live interactive view of the moon and mars on a projector screen so that the gathering can enjoy the beauty of the occultation. The other telescopes will show moon, mars, saturn to the public, interspersed by multimedia presentations on these objects and interactive discussions with the public relating to astronomy and the universe. The highlight of the programme will be popularization of the project "Taare Sadak Par" meaning Roadside Stars: a initiative to quantify light pollution. The public will also be helped with identifying the basic brighter constellations and will be encouraged to contribute star count data for this ongoing effort. Handouts regarding the occulation, Taare Sadak Par, Upcoming Astronomy Events and general astronomy will handed out to the people. A gathering of about 60-70 interested children and parents is expected to attend the skywatch. Photography of the Occultation will also take place. There might be some special guests of honour and press also might be present. POPULARIZATION OF ASTRONOMY AND SCIENTIFIC TEMPERAMENT WILL BE THE PRIORITY OF THE SKYWATCH. Hope the Almighty bestows clear skies and makes the event a grand success...
Iran - Astronomy Day and Week
Astronomical Society of Iran - Amateur Committee (ASIAC), the winner of 2006 Astronomy Day Award and co-winner of 2004 Best New Idea, is coordinating 2008 Astronomy Day event in more than 60 cities and towns in the country, powered by local astronomy clubs, science centers and related associations. Due to Friday being the week end in Iranian calendar, The Astronomy Week is May 3-9, with the weekend Friday May 9 as the Astronomy Day. In captial Tehran, ASIAC is organizing two major events. The main program will be in Paydari park and cultural center of Tehran with diverse outreach activities by astronomy commucators, solar observbation, night time telescopic obsevations and real-time large screen projection of planetary objects, and series of lectures by the country's best known astronomy and space journalists. The second Tehran event under direct organization of ASIAC will be in Melat park, the city's most populated family park in weekends. This location which was the center of 2007 ASIAC Astronomy Day event will have major SideWalk astronomy event this year with over a dozen telescopes and tens of amateur astronomers showing passing people celestial wonders of day and night sky. There are other centers, such as observatories, planetariums and museums in Tehran too which will hold events for Astronomy day in the same time.
Address for ASIAC 2008 May 9 Astronomy Day event in Tehran: 1- Paydari Park, Ghoba Squere, Nateghe Noori (Zomorod) st, Pasdaran Ave (accessibale from Shari-ati Ave as well) 2- Sidewalk astronomy event: Melat Park, Vali-asr Ave
More information: www.asiac.ir (Persian page) www.asiac.ir/en (English page) Asiac-Astronomy Day: 0098-936-9296200 astroday@asiac.ir
2008 Iran Astronomy Day coordinators Siavash Safarianpour, Negin Azari
Iran - Zaferanie Educational Observatory(ZEO) May 9, Tehran, Iran
Friday 20 Ordibehesht (= May 9 08), Time:from 11am to 11pm
Programs: up to 25 projects held by observatory students . Some of them are:
ufo(is it a truth?), astrobiology, bad astronomy, latest news, astronomical paper models, solar systam models, power of tens, birth star, your weight on other planets, light pollution, astronomy in cinema, how to photograph the sky, home and space, iranians in space, telescopes, observing team(moon planets/sun/), astronomical Q&A, dinasures and big impact, sundials, ...astronomical naqqali, ...
Address: zaferanie observatory
Zaferanie ST., Valiasr Ave., Tehran, Iran
Tel: 22706167
Fax: 22746262
Web: roozenojum87.blogfa.com
Kansas - Astronomy Day Lawrence Public Library
The Astronomy Associates of Lawrence will host two events for Astronomy Day 2008. The first event will take place at the Lawrence Public Library from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 10. This event will feature diplays and activities, including a meteorite display, galaxy classification game, birthday stars display and a light pollution display. Information about the club, as well as a variety of club members' astrophotos will be displayed as well. A presentation entitled "This isn't your Parents' Solar System!" will be shown at 2:00 PM. Outside the library, there will be several telescopes available to safely observe our closest star. The second event will take place from 9:00 PM until 11:00 PM at Prairie Park Nature Center on the same day. Observations of the night sky through club members telescopes will take place at this Astronomy Day Star Party, with members available to give guided tours of the night sky and describe the objects being observed. For more information about these events, contact Rick Heschmeyer, events coordinator for the Astronomy Associates of Lawrence at rcjbm@sbcglobal.net.
Lebanon, May 10th - " Bringing Astronomy to the People"
The Lebanese Astronomy Group (LAG) is organizing an open event on Saturday May 10th 2008, from 6:00 pm till midnight, to celebrate the International Astronomy Day. It will take place in two locations simultaneously: 1) Ain El Mraiseh, Sea Side – Beirut 2) El Mina, Sea Side – Tripoli This event is fairly considered as the biggest astronomy open event that takes place in Lebanon, knowing that it’s being organized by the LAG, which as you know, groups all the astronomy clubs in Universities and Schools. Furthermore, since it will be an open event, the expected number of attendees will be around 10 000 in the two locations, where brochures and other handouts will be distributed to the public. Different activities are planned for the event that include • Night Sky Observation using telescopes and binoculars • Star gazing • Posters that enclose astronomical information as well as astronomy pictures • Brochures including Astronomy day information and astronomical information • Quizzes • Visual attractions such as balloons, banners… • As well as other fun activities The event will be covered by the local media, including TV, Radio and newspapers, who will provide a big scale coverage. Contact lebaneseastronomy@gmail.com
Louisianna - International Astronomy Day at the Highland Road Park Observatory in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
The general public is invited to an all-free celebration of International Astronomy Day at the Highland Road Park Observatory in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The date is Saturday, 10 May from 3pm to 11pm. Weather permitting, viewing of the Sun, the Moon, Venus, Mercury, Mars, Saturn and several deep-sky objects will take place. Also scheduled are a storytime presented by the East Baton Rouge Parish Library Children’s Department, a Scope-on-a-Rope magnification session and visits from the Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club and the Louisiana Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. In addition, Scotlandville Magnet High students will show off the moonbuggy they entered in the Great Moonbuggy Race earlier this year—they won second place for design! Call (225) 768-9948 or visit www.bro.lsu.edu for more information. HRPO is sponsored by BREC (East Baton Rouge Parish’s parks department), LSU’s Department of Physics and the Baton Rouge Astronomical Society.
Malaysia - Sultan Iskandar Planetarium
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sultan Iskandar Planetarium
State Civic Centre
93000, Kuching, SARAWAK
MALAYSIA
Exhibitions, drawing,planetary science experiments, planetarium shows, live talk, star map, distances measurements and lots of other stuff.
Maryland - Westminster Astronomical Society Astronomy Day Events
Come join the Westminster Astronomical Society for a day of Solar observing, Fun, Games and Activities. (Activities listed will vary by location). Some of the activities; Make a Pocket Solar System Scale model, Solar System Scale model Walk, Exploring Black Holes and Supernovae, Seeing through Alien Eyes, How Telescopes work and more. Some activities and Solar observing are weather dependent.
Locations: CCPL Eldersburg Branch, Eldersburg MD; CCPL Taneytown Branch, Taneytown MD; Herb Festival Piney Run Park, Sykesville MD.
Contact: Skip Bird at wasi_officers '--at--' yahoogroups '--dot--' com
http://www.westminsterastro.org/
Mexico - Primer Concierto bajo las estrellas
INSTITUTO TECNOLÓGICO DE GUAYMAS, en coordinación con el Area de Astronomía de la Universidad de Sonora y la Casa de la Cultura de Guaymas, realizará el: PRIMER CONCIERTO BAJO LAS ESTRELLAS · OBSERVACIÓN CON TELESCOPIOS · MÚSICA · CANTO · POESÍA · TEATRO CALLEJERO · CHARLA SOBRE TEMAS DE ASTRONOMÍA · LOTERÍA CÓSMICA VIERNES 09 DE MAYO A PARTIR DE LAS 6:30 P.M.PLAZA DEL PESCADOR EN OCASIÓN Y FESTEJO DEL DÍA DE LA ASTRONOMÍA Guaymas, Sonora, México.- Con la participación de astrónomos, tanto de la localidad como de la Universidad de Sonora, músicos, cantantes, poetas, conferencistas, zanqueros, entre otros, el Instituto Tecnológico de Guaymas, en coordinación con el Área de Astronomía del Departamento de Investigaciones en Física de la Universidad de Sonora y la Casa de la Cultura de Guaymas, llevará a cabo el Primer Concierto Bajo las Estrellas, evento que tiene como finalidad festejar el Día de la Astronomía, anunció el Maestro Hermenegildo Lagarda Leyva, Director del ITG. Esta actividad que se ofrece al público abierto, consistirá en la observación de astros a través de telescopios que estarán dispuestos, y presentación de artistas de varios géneros. Este evento reunirá entre sus participantes la Orquesta Heroica y el Coro Regina Pacis, bajo la dirección del Maestro José Arturo Altamirado Pillado, Coordinador de Música de la Casa de la Cultura de Guaymas. Se presentará asimismo un espectáculo de zancos y Teatro Callejero, a cargo del Maestro Manuel de Jesús Navarro Valenzuela. En el mismo marco se ofrecerá una lectura de poemas en la que participarán los poetas Gilberto Gastélum Orduño, Bruno Hernández Leyva, Josefina Isabel Saucedo Morales, entre otros. El astrónomo Saúl Grijalva Varillas, quien participará en este evento, expresó que un día al año, clubes de astronomía, planetarios y otros grupos amantes del cielo, se reúnen para exponer al público en general las maravillas de la astronomía. Agregó que el Día de la Astronomía es celebrado oficialmente para promover los adelantos de todos los esfuerzos científicos y proveer información, recursos y alentar todas las facetas de la astronomía. Pero de lo que realmente se trata es de mostrar que la astronomía es divertida, agregó. Citó que Doug Berger, presidente de la Asociación Astronómica de California del Norte, fundó este evento anual en 1973 como una forma de llamar la atención del público hacia la ciencia y afición por medio de exhibiciones y actividades en centros urbanos. Desde entonces la celebración ha crecido en tamaño y alcance. Cientos de clubes de astronomía, observatorios, museos, colegas y planetarios en el mundo conducen ahora eventos y festividades del Día de la Astronomía orientados a las familias. Algunas organizaciones extienden sus actividades por una semana. Así, este Primer Concierto bajo las estrellas ofrecerá la oportunidad de observar con los telescopios que serán instalados en el área menos iluminada de la Plaza del Pescador. Además se ofrecerá una charla con temas sobre astronomía, donde el público podrá plantear cualquier pregunta acerca de esta ciencia. En esta charla participará, además de Grijalva Varillas, el astrónomo Julio César Saucedo Morales, Jefe del Departamento de Investigaciones en Física de la Universidad de Sonora. Como atractivo novedoso sobre todo para los niños se tendrá una lotería cósmica con elementos de temas astronómicos. Es la primera vez que este juego de la lotería se presenta en este lugar, luego de ser utilizada durante la observación del último eclipse total de luna (en febrero del 2008) por astrónomos de la UNAM en el zócalo de la Ciudad de México y posteriormente en la celebración del aniversario del planetario del Centro Ecológico de Hermosillo. Con este evento se busca dar mayor divulgación a la actividad astronómica previa al gran festejo contemplado para el 2009, cuando será declarado "Año Internacional de la Astronomía" por cumplirse los 400 años de la primera observación a través de un telescopio por el científico italiano Galileo Galilei. El Director del ITG hizo una invitación extensiva a la comunidad de la región para que asista y aproveche la oportunidad de ser partícipe del Primer Concierto bajo las estrellas, pues señaló que la cultura es y será siempre el motor y pulmón que defina y purifique una sociedad mejor.
Michigan - Bad Astronomy Day, Detroit, MI
Join the Bad Astronomer Dr. Phil Plait for the Detroit Science Center’s Bad Astronomy Day on Saturday, May 10, 2008! View the sun, moon and Venus through many telescopes with the Ford Amateur Astronomy Club from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy children’s make-and-take activities with Science Center educators and the organization Arts and Scraps. See the new planetarium show Bad Astronomy: Myths and Misconceptions in the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium. Be a part of Dr. Phil Plait’s Bad Astronomy presentation at 1 p.m. Purchase the popular book Bad Astronomy from the Science Store and get it autographed by the Bad Astronomer himself! Enter-to-win prizes, including a Meade ETX-80AT-TC refractor telescope, in the Astronomy Magazine Astronomy Day contest. Learn about astronomy technology and observing aids with Rider's Hobby Shop of Livonia. Be one of the first to experience the Detroit Science Center’s new Rocket Laboratory. Following a fun day of Bad Astronomy at Michigan’s largest science center, drive out to the Island Lake State Recreation Area (insert where this is) for the first Beginner's Night, a FREE star party for all ages! See the moon, Mars, Saturn, stars, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies! Discover the fun of a lifelong hobby - amateur astronomy at the Detroit Science Center!
Minnesota - Rochester Astronomy Day Public Outreach
Celebrate National Astonomy week! The Rochester Astronomy Club is hosting a free public outreach on Friday May 9th, 7:30 to 10:00 pm at Mayo High School, Rochester Minnesota. You will be greeted with a Solar Walk, a scale model of our solar system, as it leads you to the newly renovated Mayo High School state-of-the-art planetarium. Enjoy a tour of the night sky from the comfort of a reclined chair. Then go outside to compare what you have learned with a real under-the-sky look at stars and planets. Look through binoculars and a variety of telescopes to be wowed by our universe. Go to the Constellation Station to learn how to navigate the night sky and measure distances. Club members will be on hand to answer questions and give information about astronomy.
Saturday, May 10th, Gamehaven Scout Reservation, 5015 Simpson Road SE. We will be setting up scopes under a darker sky where the glow of city lights won't wash out more distant wonders. See galaxy groups and star clusters in club member's scopes. While the view astounds, so will the facts. With multipe scopes and binoculars, club members are on hand to show the night sky and answer questions. www.rochesterskies.org for information.
Nebraska - Astronomy Day at Monument Mall, Scottsbluff, NE
May 10, 2008 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Monument Mall in Scottsbluff Nebraska
Videos, pictures, telescopes and more!
http://www.panhandleastronomyclub.com/
New Hampshire
New Hampshire - Spacetacular Saturday, Concord, N. H.
May 3, 2008 11 AM-6 PM. Spacetacular Saturday at the Christa MacAuliffe Planetarium in Concord, N.H. Join us for our celebration of Astronomy Day on Saturday, May 3. There will be fun and games for the whole family: helicopter rides, rocket launches, solar telescopes and so much more. The planetarium will also premiere a new theater show: Family of the Sun.
New Jersey - UACNJ Astronomy Day Hackettstown, NJ
Saturday, May 3rd Warren County Branch Library (1:30 – 5 pm) UACNJ Observatory (7:30 -11 pm)
Astronomy Presentations At the Warren County Branch Library, 63 Route 46, Hackettstown, NJ:
2:00 pm - Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors Kevin Conod – Director, Dreyfuss Planetarium
3:00 pm - Tunguska: 100 Years of Mystery Alan Witzgall – Astronomy Educator & Member of AAI
4:00 pm - Low Budget Astronomy James Norton – Pastor & Astronomy Educator
Look at the Sun with a solar telescope! (weather permitting) At the UACNJ Observatory, Jenny Jump State Forest, 399 State Park Road, Great Meadows, NJ:
8:00 pm - Measuring Galaxy Motion with the Hubble
Dr. Slavomir Piatek- Astrophysicist, NJIT & Rutgers
Stargazing with the telescopes will follow (weather permitting)
Free! For more information see: www.uacnj.org
Jenny Jump Park Office: 908-459-4366
New Zealand - Sharing Space Astronomy Day
Astronomy Day Aotearoa, held at Queens Wharf, Wellington, New Zealand. We will have between 3 and 7 telescopes, a refractor, a newtonian reflector, a schmidt cassegrain and hopefully some dobsonian mounted reflectors. We should be able to see craters on the moon, the rings of Saturn, Titan the moon of Saturn, and possibly Omega Centaurus and a few star clusters. Later, Jupiter and Antares will be prominent rising in the east after dark. City: Wellington Location: Queens Wharf Contact: Paul Moss Email: paul.moss@astronomy.net.nz Web: http://www.astronomy.net.nz Phone: 021 440 443
New Zealand - Auckland Astronomical Society
I decided to celebrate this special day as a member of Auckland Astronomical Society in the top of Mount Eden where the coaches with tourists stops. I will take my MEADE ETX-90 and during the day I want to do a solar projection. In the evening I will present Saturn, double stars and some clusters. My schedule time is 11 to 2 pm and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. There is enough space and if you want to follow me please bring your telescope along to Mount Eden in the next Saturday. See you there! Also I participate to “100 hours of Astronomy”. In every clear night, binging the telescope in the front of my house inviting the walkers to enjoy the wonders of the Sky. Good Luck and HAVE A CLEAR SKY! Danut Ionescu – Auckland Astronomical Society Auckland, New Zealand
North Carolina - Astronomy Day Activities at the Rocky Mount Children's Museum & Science Center
The Children's Museum & Science Center in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, celebrates Astronomy Day on Saturday, May 10, 2008.
The Museum's Cummins Planetarium will feature Planetarium Shows including, "Microcosm-The Adventure Within," a microscopic roller coaster ride through the human body; and "Astronaut," narrated by Ewan McGregor, a fascinating and humorous look at the hazards encountered by explorers in outer space. "Seasonal Stargazing," a brief tour of the current night sky is presented before all planetarium shows. Also featured will be "Laser Beatles," a 3D laser light celebration of Beatles music on the planetarium’s 30 ft. projection dome.
Use a Museum SunSpotter to measure the rotation of planet Earth. Weather permitting, viewing of the solar surface and lunar craters will be safely provided in broad daylight using telescopes and specialized equipment operated by local amateur astronomers. Members of the Tar River Astronomy Club will also provide equipment displays and demonstrate a remotely-guided Earth Rover as it explores the Museum Courtyard. View signatures of local school children and others whose digitized signatures flew on the STS-117 mission of the Space Shuttle Atlantis on a flight to the International Space Station, in June 2007. Take home your own constellation chart.
Astronomy Day activities except Planetarium & Laser Shows are free with paid admission to the Museum, Noon to 5:00 PM, Saturday May 10, 2008. Astronomy Day at the Children’s Museum & Science Center is sponsored in part by the Tar River Astronomy Club, whose members will be on hand to help provide a stellar time for all visitors.
The Children’s Museum and Science Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM., and Sundays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Admission is free on Wednesdays from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The museum is closed on Mondays. Information: (252) 972-1167
Ohio - Toledo Astronomical Association
To celebrate Astronomy Day 2008, The Toledo Astronomical Association will host twin events on May 10, 2008. One event will be at Olander Park, Sylvania, Ohio and the other at the W.W. Knight Preserve on East River Road in Perrysburg, Ohio. At both sites there will be solar viewing and childrens games from 2 - 4 PM and general viewing from 7:30 - 11:00 PM (weather permitting). Multiple scopes will be present. For more information contact Frank S. Merritt (419)535-8775, frank.merritt '--at--' utoledo '--dot--' edu
Pennsylvania - Chester County Astronomical Society Night Out at Hoopes Park
The Chester County Astronomical Society (CCAS), in cooperation with the West Chester Department of Recreation, is excited to invite the public to a night out under the stars at Hoopes Park on May 10.
Starting at 8 PM, members of the club, a group of amateur astronomers formed in 1993, will be available as night sky tour guides. On the field, an assortment of telescopes will be focused on celestial delicacies ranging from planets to star-forming nebulas. In the park’s pavilion, there will be information tables on getting started in astronomy, purchasing astronomical equipment and raising awareness of light pollution. A special Kid’s Corner with an astronomically themed craft will also be in the pavilion, for guests aged 2-7.
Hoopes Park is located off of Ashbridge Street in West Chester, just southwest of New Street. Ample parking is available in the lower parking lot along Ashbridge Street, and the observing field is a short walk up the hill from there. To enjoy the event fully, guests should bring sturdy shoes for walking in the field, a jacket, a blanket to sit or lie down on, a flashlight, and snacks if desired. Restrooms are available on site, but food and drink will not be sold at the park.
In the case of cloudy weather, CCAS will provide a slide show in the pavilion in lieu of telescopic viewing. However, if it rains, the event will be cancelled.
Perú - El Día Internacional de la Astronomía de este año, en el Perú
Por segunda vez en la historia, varias instituciones que divulgan y desarrollan la astronomía en nuestro país han acordado celebrar, todas juntas, el Día Internacional de la Astronomía. Al igual que en otras partes del mundo, los profesionales y aficionados de esta fascinante rama de la ciencia se reunirán con la finalidad de compartir gratuitamente con el público videos divulgativos, charlas astronómicas, observación a través de binoculares y telescopios (si el clima lo permite, se apreciarán el sol, la luna, Marte, Saturno y las estrellas más brillantes), ingreso libre a un planetario móvil (en Lima), acceso a bibliografía especializada e información actualizada de los últimos avances y desarrollos de la astronomía y las ciencias espaciales... En fin, todo ello con el único propósito de incentivar en la gente, y en especial en los más jóvenes, el interés por la astronomía (astrología no, gastronomía tampoco). He aquí los detalles:
• EN ICA
FECHA Y HORAS: Viernes 09 de mayo, 10 am - 10 pm.
LUGAR: Museo Regional de Ica – I.N.C. (Calle Ayabaca, cuadra 8, S/N).
PARTICIPANTES: Instituto Geofísico del Perú, Instituto Peruano de Astronomía y Grupo de Astronomía “MUTSUNICA” de la Universidad Nacional "San Luis Gonzaga" de Ica.
• EN CUSCO
FECHA Y HORAS: Sábado 10 de mayo, 7 pm – 9 pm.
LUGAR: Pinacoteca del Convento de Santo Domingo, Qoricancha, y Explanada del Qoricancha (intersección Av. El Sol y Calle Santo Domingo).
PARTICIPANTES: Círculo Astronómico Cusco y Planetarium Cusco.
NOTA: Charla sobre Astronomía Inca (7 pm); observación por telescopios (a continuación).
• EN LIMA
FECHA Y HORAS: Sábado 10 de mayo, 2 pm – 9:30 pm.
LUGAR: Explanada de la Municipalidad de Los Olivos (intersección Av. Carlos A. Izaguirre y Av. Las Palmeras).
PARTICIPANTES: Instituto Geofísico del Perú, Representación Peruana de la Liga Iberoamericana de Astronomía, Sociedad Peruana para la Enseñanza de la Astronomía, Instituto Peruano de Astronomía, Grupo de Astronomía y Astrofísica de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Grupo de Astronomía “MUTSUNICA” de la Universidad Nacional "San Luis Gonzaga" de Ica, Grupo Astronomía de la Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Grupo Astronómico “7842” de la Universidad Nacional del Callao, Cielo 12 Sur, Asociación Eta Carinae y AstronomíaPerú.com.
El ingreso será libre, por supuesto, totalmente gratuito. Asimismo, por iniciativa del Instituto Peruano de Astronomía, a cargo de Barthelemy d´Ans Alleman, también se desarrollarán otras actividades divulgativas en el interior de nuestro Perú:
• En Nazca, Ica (Hotel Nazca Lines; Jr. Bolognesi, S/N): Para los colegios de la zona, previa inscripción, el 10 de mayo habrá un open day en los planetarios.
• En Chivay, Arequipa (Hotel Casa Andina - Colca; Calle Huayna Cápac, S/N): Para los colegios de la zona, previa inscripción, el 10 de mayo habrá un open day en el planetario (observatorio libre para la población local, además).
• En Urubamba, Cusco (Hotel Casa Andina - Valle Sagrado; 5to paradero Yanahuara, Centro poblado menor Yanahuara): Para los colegios de la zona, previa inscripción, el 10 de mayo habrá un open day en el planetario (observatorio libre para la población local, además).
Invitamos al público en general a disfrutar de interesantes momentos de esparcimiento y aprendizaje en este día de fiesta para la astronomía mundial.
Para mayor información, comunicarse por favor con:
Mario Zegarra-Valles
Correo electrónico: maribus@yahoo.com
(Auspiciado por Concytec y UNESCO - Perú)
Perú - May 10, 2008 - Lima, Perú
This will be the second event held in Lima, Perú, by a number of amateur groups, clubs and scientific institutions combined. The event will feature telescopes and equipment display. Moon and planets and observations. Public lectures. Photos and graphics display. Telescopes clinic. Telescope mirror making display. Planets colouring contest for kids. Birthday stars. Sky-Q-Quiz. Observation clubs register. Etc. FREE ENTRANCE !
Puerto Rico - Dia de la Astronomia" (Astronomy Day) Bayaman, Puerto Rico
On Saturday, May 10, the Puerto Rico Astronomy Society will host an evening of stargazing, designed to attract the general public to the Science Park in Bayamon, to observe the heavens. From 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Society members will set up telescopes for the public to use. That evening, the nonprofit organization will also offer a workshop entitled "How to do astronomy through robotic telescopes," to be offered by Prof. Rafael Müller, professor at the University of Puerto Rico in Humacao. For more information, please visit our Web site, www.astronomiapr.org. All are welcome!
Rhode Island - Skyscrapers Astronomical Society of Rhode Island,North Scituate, RI
May 10th Scituate Community Green 10-4 PM
Seagrave Observatory 7-10PM
Events include:
- Solar Telescopes
- Solar System Walk
- Student "Star Wheel" workshop
- "Mysteries of the Night Sky" presentation
- Historical Walk at Seagrave Memorial Observatory
- Public viewing with Alvan Clark 8 1/4 " telescope
Romania - Saturn Observation Campaign at Astronomy day Bacharest, Romania
At 10 May with the ocassion of Astronomy Day I will present to the public the new discoveries of the mission Cassini Huygens,and also I will invite the public to observe the famous planet Saturn.This program gives sky enthusiasts of all abilities the opportunity to share the splendor of Saturn with their local community. Saturn and its majestic rings make an annual trek through the night sky, allowing ground-based observers to enjoy stunning telescopic views of the planet.Through the Saturn Observation Campaign, we hope to share this spectacular planet with as many people as possible. The campaigns objective is to create opportunities for professional and amateur astronomers to engage the public in the excitement of astronomy, using telescopes and the Cassini-Huygens Mission to Saturn.
Romania - Astronomy Day Event in Bucharest, Romania – May 10th 2008
Astronomical Observatory “Admiral Vasile Urseanu” Bucharest (http://www.astro-urseanu.ro), Romanian Society for Meteors and Astronomy (S.A.R.M.) (http://www.sarm.ro), Bucharest Astroclub (A.B.) (http://www.astroclubul.ro) and Astronomical Association Urania (A.A.U.) (http://www.urania.ro) will celebrate Astronomy Day 2008 together in Bucharest on May 10th. We invite everyone interested to come and join us for a day and an evening of astronomical observations on Saturday, May 10th 2008 between the hours of 16:00 – 23:00 in following three locations: Cismigiu Garden (entry gate - City Hall), Herastrau Park (entry gate - Charles de Gaulle square) and Tineretului Park (entry gate – Ghe. Sincai High school). Also, the Astronomical Observatory “Admiral Vasile Urseanu” will be open for free public access all night long. The members of the astronomical societies involved in this event (S.A.R.M., A.B. and A.A.U.) will offer to the interested public general and specific information about astronomy and offer the public free astronomical observations of the Sun, Moon and Planets through a variety of astronomical instruments. The rain date for the event is Saturday, May 17th 2008. 
Romania - Astronomy Day 2008 in Sighet, Romania
On the 10th May, 2008 the astronomy club "Astroclubul SARM Sighet" will organize a public event in the central city park of Sighet. With the support of the club's members during the days before the event postesters, fliers and invitations will be spread out in the city. The event is organized with the support of the Elementary school "Dr. Ioan Mihalyi de Apsa". The organizers hope that at least few hundred persons will join them in their mission of bringing astronomy and sky closer to people.
Tennessee - Astronomy Day at Moss Wright Park, Goodlettesville, Tn
The Cumberland Astronomical Society will host their Astronomy Day event on May 10 at Moss Wright Park in Goodlettesville, Tn Planned activities include solar viewing (h-alpha and white light), daytime planetary observing, getting started in astronomy,and night time observing. Astronomy handouts will also be provided. Visitors will have access to telescopes and will be shown the proper use and care of telescopes. Activities begin at 2:00pm and last until 10:00pm
Texas - Texas Astronomical Society Astronomy Day
This year (2008) the Texas Astronomical Society will hold Astronomy Day on September 6th at the Russell Planetarium in Mesquite, Texas. Different Astronomy related events, lectures, and Planetarium shows are scheduled for the afternoon, along with Solar observing. The evening events will include visual and astro-imaging using the club member's telescopes. When: September 6, 2008 Where: Russel Planetarium 2501 Memorial Blvd, Mesquite, TX 75149 Time: 2:00pm -- 10:00pm See the Texas Astronomical Society web site at www.texasastro.org to learn about the club's activities, publications, and public outreach. The TAS Calendar located at the top of the main web page is open and viewable by the general public. Additionally, the public may view past issues of the club's monthly newsletter-- The Spectrum-- under the --- Features --- link at the top of the main page.
Texas - Brazosport Astronomy Club, Brazosport Planeterium, Clute, Texas
The Brazosport Astronomy Club is holding an all day event on May 10th to celebrate National Astronomy Day. We are having solar viewing during the day, free Planetarium shows, as well as night time star gazing and Night Sky Network demonstrations! This annual event is very popular, and draws several hundred people each year. The location: Brazosport Planeterium, Clute, Texas 77531
Texas - San Antonio Astronomical Association Astronomy Day Events
“National Astronomy Day” – Saturday, May 10th. The Scobee Planetarium, in conjunction with the San Antonio Astronomical Association, will host a public "star party" on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 to celebrate National Astronomy Day. The college observatory and a variety of telescopes provided by the members of the astronomy club will be pointed skyward to view the wonders of the May heavens. Telescopic targets for the evening include the craters and mountains of the First Quarter Moon, the planets Saturn and Mars, and a variety of bright stars and nebulae. Weather permitting, our stargazing begins at 8:00pm and continues until 10:00pm. All the celestial action takes place in the parking lot adjacent to the Scobee Planetarium on the campus of San Antonio College. The event is presented “free” of charge and is open to all ages. National Astronomy Day is designed to share the joy of astronomy with the general population. Thousands of people who have never looked through a telescope will have an opportunity to see first hand what has so many amateur and professional astronomers excited. Across the globe, astronomy clubs, science museums, observatories, universities, planetariums, laboratories, libraries, and nature centers host special events and activities to acquaint their local population with the astronomical resources and facilities that are available. It is an astronomical event that helps highlight ways the general public can get involved with astronomy. In San Antonio, National Astronomy Day will be celebrated on Saturday, May 10th starting at 8:00pm and ending at 10:00pm. Please note our “star party” requires clear skies! The event is cancelled if the skies are cloudy or it is raining. Parking Parking is free and will be available adjacent to the Scobee Planetarium and College Observatory – Lot 21. The Scobee Planetarium and Observatory are located on the campus of San Antonio College, one block east of San Pedro Avenue off of West Park Avenue. Please note that the Scobee Planetarium will not be open that night as all the “fun” is happening outdoors! For further information, please call Bryan Snow or Bob Kelley at the Scobee Planetarium at (210) 733-2910. We hope you can join us for this special event!
Texas - Astronomy Day Event Binkley Park, Sherman, Texas
Binkley Park, Sherman, Texas
The Astronomical Society of North Texas will setup telescopes in the park for solar viewing 3:00 P.M. to Sunset using safe filters. Night Viewing from Sunset to 11:00 P.M. Viewing Planets Mars, Saturn, and deep sky objects as well
Weather Permitting
Utah - Great Basin National Park Events (Baker, Utah)
Great Basin National Park will host the following 2008 free public star parties: June 7 - Astronomy Day. Solar viewing, kids hands-on projects, presentation on latest astronomical news. July 4 & 5 - Presentation on digital astrophotography. August 9 & 10 - Presentation on meteors followed by late-night meteor watch. August 30 & 31 - Star parties only. September 1 - Solar viewing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors Center. Presentations start at 7 p.m. in the Great Basin Resource Center, next door to the Visitors Center. Star parties start at 9:30 p.m. behind Visitors Center, weather permitting. For more information on Great Basin NP go to: http://www.nps.gov/grba, or call: (775)-234-7331. Ask for Ranger Moore. If you would like to bring a telescope and participate or give a presentation, contact Salt Lake Astronomical Society member Tom Sevcik, (801)-262-6557, or send email to: sfv1ts '--at--' hotmail '--dot--' com.
Utah - Salt Lake Astronomical Society Astronomy Day Events
The Salt Lake Astronomical Society will host four events for Astronomy Day. The first two free public events, to be held on May 9th, will be at the Harmons Grocery, Brickyard Plaza. The second is to be held at the Harmons Grocery in South Jordan. At either event, some lucky person in the public has a chance to win a Orion 8-inch Dobsonion. On May 10th, the some lucky winner will walk away with one of two Orion 8-inch Dobsonions at the This Is The Place State Park, or at the Stansbury Park Observatory Complex. Astronomy Day events are being held in conjunction with the Clark Planetarium and the University of Utah.
Virginia - Astronomy Day 2008 at the Science Museum of Virginia
May 10 will be a busy day of astronomy at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, VA. We'll have a series of lectures by professors from nearby universities as well as representatives from major research organizations, displays about astronomy programs at the universities, hands-on activities such as creating a scale model of the Solar System, telescopes set up for viewing the Sun and Moon, special planetarium showings, a door prize drawing, and other fun things to do. The Science Museum's gigantic Earth-Moon Kugel interactive sculpture will be featured as the nucleus of a large-scale model of the Solar Syatem stretching from just North of Richmond all the way to Orlando, Florida. Much of this activity will be outdoors or in the Museum's free space, but admission to the Museum includes an opportunity to view nine astronomy exhibits in the galleries as well as the planetarium shows.
The Science Museum of Virginia is located in Richmond's old Broad Street Station and is one of the "Museums on the Boulevard" cluster of museums which also includes the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Richmond Children's Museum. For more information see http://www.smv.org.
Wisconsin - Astronomy Day 2008 near Belgium, WI
This year, National Astronomy Day occurs on May 10. Join us for a full day of family-friendly and educational activities! At Harrington Beach State Park, we will be set up in and around the new Jim & Gwen Plunkett Observatory, a 16' x 24' building with a roof that completely slides off to reveal the 20-inch Panarusky Telescope. Please note you will need a valid 2008 WI State Park Sticker for admission to the park ($25.00 for the year, or $7.00 for the day) On Saturday, we will begin our activities at 2:00pm. From that time until sunset, we will have special telescopes set up to allow safe viewing of our nearest star, the Sun. We will have white-light viewing of sunspots, as well as incredible "hydrogen-alpha" viewing showing huge "flaming" solar flares! Throughout the day we will have walks through the park, where participants will pace off a 1,000-yard scale model of our solar system. As you move along in the tour, you will get a sense of how vast size and distances are when you're contemplating the universe. We will have sky viewing on both Friday and Saturday nights. Once it gets dark (which will be around 8:00 PM), telescopes will turn to various celestial objects. Bring along a pair of binoculars and join us for our Binocular Tour of the Universe at 9:00 PM. If you have a telescope, learn how to use it more effectively in our ongoing Telescope Clinic. And be sure to participate in our Starlight Scavenger Hunt -- made especially for kids of all ages. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the night sky, or find out how telescopes work, or just spend some quality time with the family. Mark your calendar, and join us on May 10for a night under the stars.
