Astronomy Day Activities by State

Astronomy Day Headquarters:
Gary Tomlinson
Public Museum of Grand Rapids
272 Pearl NW
Grand Rapids MI 49504
(616) 456-3532
(616) 456-3873 (Fax)
E-mail: gtomlins@triton.net

Alabama

City: Montgomery
Organization: W.A. Gayle Planetarium
Contact: Mr. Rick Evans or Mr. Mark Brown

1010 Forest Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36106
(334) 241-4799
www.tsum.edu/planet

Saturday, April 20, 2002

The W.A. Gayle Planetarium will host Astronomy Day presentations and activities on Saturday, April 20th starting at 6:00 PM. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Rhon Jenkins from the Auburn Astronomical Society. In addition, we will present a planetarium program entitled "More Than Meets the Eye" followed by a tour of the night sky. A tour of telescopes and demonstration, exhibits, educational/promotional information, and door prizes will also be available. Following the presentations, we will have an evening star party (weather permitting) with telescopes generously provided by members of the Auburn Astronomical Society. This is a great opportunity to come out and ask our local experts about the wide range of telescopes available and how they work. If you have a telescope at home that is giving you problems or if you are unsure how to use it, bring it out to the planetarium and we will assist you so that you can get the best use out of your telescope. This event is free!!!

Arizona

City: Flagstaff
Organization: Lowell Observatory
Contact: Russell Tweed

1400 West Mars Hill Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

April 20 at 7:30 pm

Lowell Observatory and our local amateur astronomy organizations will celebrate National Astronomy Day with the Lowell Star Party. This special event will feature numerous telescopes set up for viewing throughout the Lowell campus.

City: Phoenix

Organization: Arizona Science Center

Contact: Christine Shupla

Arizona Science Center
600 East Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004

May 4 & 5, 2002

Activities 11-5 on Saturday, 11-9 Sunday. Activities and talks free with paid admission to the Arizona Science Center.

• Exhibits
• Talks
• Activities
• Solar Observing during the days
• Evening telescope observing session Sunday, May 5, 7-9pm

Highlighted Lectures:

• 4 pm Saturday and 5 pm Sunday -- The World's Most Powerful Telescope and the Search for ET, Dr. Peter Wehinger, Stewart Observatory
• 4 pm Sunday -- Exploring Mars: The Red Planet -- by Robin Ferguson, Mars Space Flight Facility, ASU

Other lectures will be presented throughout both Saturday and Sunday, on: Solar System High Energy Gamma Rays Exploring Mars Hands-On Buying a Telescope Solar Eclipses Solar Viewing Astrophotography Backyard Stargazing Through Space & Time and much more

Participants:

• East Valley Astronomy Club
• Phoenix Astronomical Society
• Saguaro Astronomy Club
• Stewart Observatory
• Kitt Peak Observatory
• Whipple Observatory
• Lowell Observatory
• Photon Instruments
• Coronado Filters
• Minor Planet Research Inc.
• Stargazing for Everyone

City: Tucson
Organization: Flandrau Science Center
Contact: Michael Terenzoni

The University of Arizona
1601 E. University Blvd
Tucson AZ 85721

April 20: 12-5 p.m.

Large telescopes and giant binoculars will be set for free solar viewing (weather permitting). Eruptions on the Sun's edge and sunspots will be visible through Flandrau solar telescopes during this event. During this event, Flandrau astronomers will be on hand to explain the rare planet line up of early May, and the upcoming sunset solar eclipse on Monday June 10. A special lecture about these upcoming celestial events will be given by Flandrau astronomer Michael Terenzoni at the conclusion of Flandrau's 3:30 p.m. planetarium show "More Than Meets the Eye". The lecture will use the planetarium projector, in addition to video and computer projection technology, to preview these rare celestial events. Also, free posters, handouts and free NASA postcards about astronomy and stargazing will be available from noon-5 p.m. in Flandrau's exhibit area to Flandrau patrons.

Arkansas

City: Bentonville
Organization: Sugar Creek Astronomical Society
Contact: Cathy Anderson

25 Eaton Circle
Bella Vista, AR 72715

March 30 - 11 am - Astronomy Children's Hour
April 1 - 5 Astronomy Week in Schools featuring the StarLab
April 20 - 9 am - 3 pm Astronomy Day Activities
April 20 - Dusk on - Astronomy Day Viewing
April 27 - Astronomy Library Hour

In the Sugar Creek area we feature events that will reach the whole population. We start the month with a story and activity hour for the children. Then we move into the schools with astronomy week, featuring the StarLab, special speakers, and safe solar viewing. Our big day is on April 20th at RE Baker Elementary School when we open up to the public. We will have many astronomy booths, our junior program will feature many hands on activities, the StarLab will be again available to the public, we will have a theater for viewing films on Mars. We have a guest astronomy painter that will be painting right there, our club members will have exhibits on telescopes, and we will have safe solar viewing available to all. A food court, vendors and door prizes will round out the activities. At dusk that evening we will have a Star Party at the Bella Vista Soft Ball Park. To finish up the month worth of activities, we will be features for the Adult Story hour on the 27th at the Bella Vista Public Library.

Canada

City: Whitby
Organization: Durham Region Astronomical Association
Contact: Pedro Braganca

The Durham Region Astronomical Association
555 Rossland Road East
P.O. Box 62133
Oshawa, Ontario
Canada
L1K 1K0

Saturday April 20, 2002
Iroquois Park Sports Centre
500 Victoria Street West in Whitby
Public Stargazing outside the Centre
from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM

On April 20th the DRAA will set-up telescopes on the grassed area adjacent to the main entrance of the Iroquois Park Sports Centre. The event officially starts at 4:00pm to take advantage of some Soalr observing and will go through to 11:00pm. This provides the public an opportunity to look at various celestial objects.

California

City: Oakland
Organization: Chabot Space & Science Center
Contact: Denni Medlock

10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland, CA 94619

10-5 pm
7-11:30 pm

Solar viewing, daytime viewing of Venus, Mercury adn Jupiter. New Space Flight Gallery exhibit. "Explorers of Mauna Kea" and "The Sky Tonight" planetarium programs. "Solar Max" movie in the MegaDOme Theater. Various floor activities.

Nightitme viewing through the 20" Brashear and 8" Clark refractors

City: Sacramento
Organization: Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society
Contact: Bud Bafia

P.O. Box 15274
Sacramento, CA 95851-0274

May 18th, Noon until 10 PM

Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society (SVAS) will have free activities and displays for all ages from noon until 10:00 p.m. at Rusch Park, 7801 Auburn Blvd in Citrus Heights, CA. This year guest speaker and internationally published illustrator Chris Butler (www.sciencecenter.net/butlerart) will be on hand displaying his world-renowned artwork. Activities include Starlab portable planetarium shows; astrophotography and telescope displays; planet walk and interactive astronomical and science displays; Junior astronomy club activities; telescope making with free Galileo telescopes (first 100); SVAS scholarship applications; free balloons and Astro-Packs with valuable printed astronomy material; telescope viewing by day (with sun-safe filters) and by night (weather permitting). Visit www.svas.org for more information.

City: Sonoma County
Organization: Sonoma County Astronomical Society
Contact: Burney Baron

1352 Gillpepper Ln
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

April 20 at sunset

SCAS will have Public Star Parties (bring your telescope or come share ours!)at three locations:

• Lucchesi Park- McDowell Blvd 1 block North of Washington St., Petaluma
• Youth Community Park- Fulton Rd across from Piner High School, Santa Rosa
• The Marketplace- 201 W Napa St. (near Long's), Sonoma

For more info, call Burney (707)585-7849

Delaware

City: Wilmington

Organization: Delaware Astronomical Society

Contact: James T. Morgan, Astronomy Day Coordinator

9 Curry Lane
Newark, DE 19713

Saturday, April 20, 2002
2 PM to 5 PM Daytime Activities Rain or Shine
7 PM to 11 PM Star Party (Weather Permitting)

The Delaware Astronomical Society and Brandywine Creek State Park Present
Astronomy Day Saturday April 20th 2 - 11 PM (2 - 5 PM Rain or Shine).

• Crater Making - Learn how craters are made
• Explore the Sun - Use telescopes to see sunspots
• Talk and Slide Shows - Repair of the Hubble
• Sun Earth Connection
• Children's Craft Activities
• Telescope Clinic - bring your scope in for help

Bring a picnic and stay for the Star Party eginning at 7:00 PM (Weather Permitting). View planets and deep space objects with our telescopes or bring your own and learn how to use them.

Free Admission

Florida

City: Fort Myers
Organization: Florida Gulf Coast University, and South West Florida Astronomical Society
Contact: Michael Fauerbach, Ph.D.

10501 FGCU Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33965-6565

April 20, 2002
8:00pm-10:00pm

The Astronomy Department of Florida Gulf Coast University together with the South-West Florida Astronomical Society will host a public viewing event outside the Evelyn L. Egan Observatory on the campus of FGCU. Come and join us to have a look at celestial objects using a wide variety of telescopes.

City: Ft. Myers
Organization: Southwest Florida Astronomical Society
Contact: Carol Stewart

P.O. Box 100127
Cape Coral, FL 33910

Saturday, April 20th
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Southwest Florida Astronomical Society will be participating in Astronomy Day activities to be held at the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium on Ortiz Ave., in Ft. Myers, FL. We will be offering solar viewing and club information. The Nature Center will be running several astronomy shows and will have three key speakers. Jeff Rodgers, Executive Director of the Children's Science Center in Cape Coral will speak at noon about how we think about life in the Universe. Dr. Michael Fauerbach, professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, will present an astrophysics program at 2:00, and Mr. George Haddad from NASA/KSC will speak about the future of space exploration at 4:00 pm. Evening viewing will be held at Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Myers at the Evelyn Egan Observatory.

City: Fort Pierce
Organization: Indian River Community College, Treasure Coast Astronomical Society
Contact: Jon U. Bell

3209 Virginia Ave.
Fort Pierce, FL 34981

April 20, 2002; 3 pm - 9 pm

Mini-planetarium shows on current evening sky; lectures on telescopes and astrophotography; NASA presentation; guided telescopic observations using club telescopes and IRCC's 24 inch Springfield-Cassegrain mobile reflector, now undergoing renovation; telescope clinic for confused telescope owners; handouts.

City: Fort Pierce
Organization: Treasure Coast Astronoimical Society and Hallstrom Planetarium
Contact: Patty Mayer

2082 SE Tiffany Avenue
Port St. Lucie, Florida 34952

April 20, 2002
3:00 p.m. through 9:00 p.m.

Astronomy Day will be held in and around the Hallstrom Planetarium on the main campus of Indian River Community College. We have 3 speakers scheduled, continuos planetarium shows, SAFE telescope viewing of the sun and then the sky, a quiz/scavenger hunt for the children, drawings for prizes, help with your own telescope (the one you got for Christmas that is still in the box), display tables about Chandra, Hubble and the space station, solar system walk, and our pride and joy, the unveiling of the refurbished 24 inch mobile telescope "Phoenix"

City: Jacksonville
Organization: NEFAS (The Northeast Florida Astronomical Society)
Contact: Matt Ganis (webmaster@nefas.org)

P.O. Box 5432
Jacksonville, FL 32247-5432
http://www.nefas.org

April 20, 2002
All Day

This year NEFAS will be holding it's daytime activities at M.O.S.H, the Museum of Science and History, in downtown Jacksonville. There will be various displays on amateur telescope making, low-light videography, solar observing and much more. Once the daytime activities are finished, we will hold our monthly First Quarter Public Stargaze at Hanna Park, next to Mayport Naval Station. We will have telescopes of all sizes setup for everyone to observe through. For updated information, and location maps, visit our website at http://www.nefas.org .

City: Tampa
Organization: Museum Astronomical Resource Society (MARS) Club
Contact: Joe Wasielewski

4801 E. Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 37617

Saturday, April 20, 2002
9:00 until....

In coordination with the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) and its Science Library, the following activities will take place:-Solar viewing on the sidewalk;-Saunders Planetarium telescope displays as well as those of club members;-Static and computerized displays on various astro subjects;-Periodic demos such as "Cooking Up a Comet";-Library Internet connections to astro sites;-Free materials on "Getting Started in Astronomy";-Drawings for astro prizes;-Special activities for children;-Evening Sky Watch on the sidewalk in front of the museum.

Georgia

City: Atlanta
Organization: Fernbank Science Center
Contactt: David Dundee

156 Heaton Park Drive
Atlanta, Ga. 30307

Astronomy Day & Week

Fernbank Celebrates Astronomy Week and Astronomy Day!!

Astronomy Week will be celebrated at Fernbank Monday, April 15 - Sunday, April 21. During this week Fernbank Science Center will be presenting in the Planetarium "Ancient Islamic Astronomy" a show that explores the astronomy of ancient near and Middle East. This show will be presented 8 p.m. Wednesday - Friday and Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday at 3:30 p.m. At 11 a.m. on Saturday April 20, Astronomy day, Astronomer Ed Albin will take the planetarium audience on a tour of the evening sky. On Tuesday Evening, April 16 at 8 p.m. Fernbank Astronomer April Whitt will present "Planet Parade" (All of these programs are $4.00 for Adults, $3.00 for students, Age 62 and over $3.00)
For young astronomers Fernbank's planetarium will present "Flying Carpets & Shooting Stars," a show introducing young people to the astronomy of ancient Egypt. (Admission $2.00 no age limit) This is presented at 1:30 p.m. Saturday & Sunday. At the Fernbank Museum of Natural History on Wednesday, April 17 at 3:30 p.m. Fernbank astronomer David Dundee will lead a tour of the evening sky in the Star Gallery (Admission Free with paid museum admission).

City: Statesboro
Organization: Statesboro Astronomy Club/Georgia Southern Planetarium
Contact: Becky Lowder

Dept. of Physics PO Box 8031
Math/Physics/CompSci Building on Georgia Ave.
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA 30460

Saturday, April 6, 2002
10 am - 4 pm

Star shows, moon rocks, meteorites, telescope display, hands-on-astronomy activities, safe solar viewing if clear, rocket and spacecraft displays, ask an astronomer, and a lot more! For all ages, no charge for admission.

Illinois

City: Chicago
Organization: Sidewalk Astronomy Club-Latin School
Contact: Dennis Erickson

59 W. North Ave.
Chicago IL 60610

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, April 19,20,21
Dusk to 11PM
North & Clark Streets

View the planets & Moon through an 8" telescope. Learn about light pollution & its solutions.

City: St. Jacob (Metro St. Louis East)
Organization: River Bend Astronomy Club
Contact: Ed Cunnius

PMB 439
4579 Laclede Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63108

4:00 PM-10:00 PM, Saturday, April 20, 2002

Where: St. Jacob Township Park
239 West Main St., St. Jacob, Illinois
(Only 30 Minutes from downtown St. Louis)

The River Bend Astronomy Club is holding its second Astronomy Day Festival in Township Park. This event is free and is an excellent opportunity to tour the universe through a variety of telescopes.

The day will begin with solar observing (weather permitting) from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. There will be educational displays including a "planet walk"--a scaled model of the solar system more than 1000 feet long. At 6:30 PM, astronomy author Gary Kronk will give a lecture, "See the Solar System."

If the weather is clear, Gary's talk will be followed by observation of the moon, planets, and more. Bring a picnic supper and enjoy the sunset! If you have a telescope of your own and would like to better understand how to use it, please bring it along. Our club members have years of experience and would be glad to share it with you.

If you have any questions, please email us at: riverbendastro@att.net, or visit our website at www.riverbendastro.org.

See you there!

Indiana

City: Bedford
Organization: Stonebelt Stargazers
Contact: Mike Pritchett

RR 3 Box 2725
Springville, IN 47462
Telephone: 812-279-5012

April 20, 2002
Program 10:00 - 4:00
Star Party 7:30 PM

Moon rocks on loan from NASA. Guest Speaker: Dr. Catheryn Pilachowski; Chair IU School of Asronomy. Interactive Displays. Kids Activities. Star Lab Planetarium. Solar Viewing. Door Prizes. Silent Auction.

City: Evansville
Organization: Evansville Museum & Evansville Astronomical Society
Contact: Michael Smith

Evansville Museum
411 S.E. Riverside Drive
Evansville, IN 47713

Saturday, April 20th
Noon - 4:00 pm activities at the Evansville Museum
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Telescope viewing at Wahnsiedler Observatory

The Evansville Museum will have a 1 to 600,000 Scale Model of the Solar System along our Riverfront Esplanade. We are offering Paper Plate Astronomy and other crafty activities for children, 3 different planetarium shows including the Southeast Planetarium Association's "Saving the Night," Solar Observing, and a Mars Demonstration involving 3-D images of Mars. Starting at 7:00 pm, the Wahnsiedler Observatory, operated by the Evansville Astronomical Society will open its doors for viewing. Several neighborhood schools are also hosting starparties for the public

City: Indianapolis
Organization: The Indiana Astronomical Society
Contact: J. Philip May

3820 E. Wilson Drive, Mooresville, IN 46158

April 20th, Saturday
3pm to 10pm

Telescope Clinic, Light Pollution Program, Moon Phase Photographic Exhibit, Astro-photography, Telescope Making Display, Solar observing, Amateur Astronomy Presentation, Planetarium Show: "Spring Skies in Indiana" and lots of telescopes for evening viewing. The large 38-inch Cassegrain/CCD equiped telescope will be available to the public to look through.

Kansas

City: Kansas City Metro Area
Organization: Astronomical Society of Kansas City
Contact: David Hudgins or Larry Goode

P.O. Box 400
Blue Springs, MO 64013

Saturday, April 20 9am to 3pm

It seems natural to observe the stars among nature. That is why this year’s Astronomy Day will be at Burr Oak Woods in Blue Springs, MO. This is a
fantastic site! Burr Oaks will also be having an Earth Day celebration! Burr Oak Woods is located in the Conservatory Park, on the north edge of Blue Springs. What makes Burr Oaks unique is that it draws a diverse group of individuals. We will offer a range of activities that will stimulate children through adults. We will let our audience know that there is more to astronomy than just looking at stars.

Maine

City: Portland
Organization: Astronomical Society of Northern New England and others
Contact: Rob Burgess

64 Friendship St.,
Brunswick, ME 04011

Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20; Times to be determined

Astronomy Day activities will include an enhanced Astronomy program at the Southworth Planetarium at the University of Southern Maine and the Childrens'Museum of Maine, in Portland. In addition, there will be solar and nighttime viewing at the following venues: the ASNNE Starfield Observatory in Kennebunk, ME; on the USM campus in Portland, ME; at St. Joseph's COllege in Standish, ME; and at the Blueberry Pond Observatory in Pownal, ME. Check with the sponsor for more information and updates.

Maryland

City: Greenbelt

Organization: Greenbelt & Goddard Astronomy Clubs, H.B. Owens Science Center

Contact: W.T. Bridgman

P.O. Box 727
Greenbelt, MD 20768

April 20, 2002. 6-10PM

Event Info: http://lheawww.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/outreach/gac/Events/Astroday2002.html

Club info:
http://lheawww.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/outreach/gac/GAC.html

Massachusetts

City: Boston
Organization : Charles Hayden Planetarium
Contact: Noreen Grice

Boston Museum of Science
Science Park
Boston, MA 02114

Saturday April 20, 2002

Special Astronomy Day programs, exhibits and demonstrations, hands-on-activities, (weather permitting): safe solar viewing and evening star party.Send S.A.S.E. to Boston Museum of Science for detailed Astroomy Day brochure.

Michigan

City: Detroit
Organization: Digital Dome Planetarium-The New Detroit Science Center
Contact: John Schroer Phone (313) 577-8400 ext. 435

5020 John R Street

Saturday, April 20th - 10:30 AM - 6 PM

Telescope display, Solar telescope viewing, shows in the Digital Dome Planetarium, promotional materials from local astronomy clubs, local telescope dealers. Hands-on demonstations for adults and families will include how to use a star map, and making a star clock.

Minnesota

City: Hibbing
Organization: Paulucci Space Theatre
Contact: Marc Rouleau

1502 East 23rd Street
Hibbing, MN 55746

April 19, 2002 shows 7:00 and 8:00
April 20, 2002 shows 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 7:00. 8:00/activities 1:00 - 5:00
April 21, 2002 shows 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00

The Paulucci Space Theatre will offer $1 off all public shows the weekend of April 19, 20, 21 for Astronomy Day.

The regular Saturday 3:00 P.M. show is cancelled on April 20 and instead there will be a free sky show at that time.

There will be free activities at the planetarium on Saturday, April 20 from 1:00 - 5:00 P.M. These will include sunspot observing and sunprint making (weather permitting). There will be giveaways and fun rain or shine.

City: Minneapolis
Organization: Minneapolis Planetarium
Contact: Bob Bonadurer

300 Nicollet Mall
Mpls, MN 55401

April 20, 11am-3pm, 6pm-10pm

• Planetarium Star Shows
• Guest Speaker Univ. of Minnesota
• Solar Observing
• Human Sundial
• Demo--Honey I Shrunk the Solar Sysytem
• Night Telescope Observing

Missouri

City: Columbia
Organization: CPS High School Astronomy Club AND Central Missouri Astronomical Association
Contact: Roy Morris

Rock Bridge High School
4303 S. Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203-7198

3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (or later if good weather)

• Planetarium Shows
• Speakers
• Raffles
• Displays & Activities

City: St. Jacob (Metro St. Louis East)
Organization: River Bend Astronomy Club
Contact: Ed Cunnius

PMB 439
4579 Laclede Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63108

4:00 PM-10:00 PM, Saturday, April 20, 2002

Where: St. Jacob Township Park
239 West Main St., St. Jacob, Illinois
(Only 30 Minutes from downtown St. Louis)

The River Bend Astronomy Club is holding its second Astronomy Day Festival in Township Park. This event is free and is an excellent opportunity to tour the universe through a variety of telescopes.

The day will begin with solar observing (weather permitting) from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. There will be educational displays including a "planet walk"--a scaled model of the solar system more than 1000 feet long. At 6:30 PM, astronomy author Gary Kronk will give a lecture, "See the Solar System."

If the weather is clear, Gary's talk will be followed by observation of the moon, planets, and more. Bring a picnic supper and enjoy the sunset! If you have a telescope of your own and would like to better understand how to use it, please bring it along. Our club members have years of experience and would be glad to share it with you.

If you have any questions, please email us at: riverbendastro@att.net, or visit our website at www.riverbendastro.org.

See you there!

Montana

City: Helena
Organization : Neuman Astronomical Society (Carroll College)
Contact: David Rotness

1010 12th Avenue
Helena, MT 59601

Saturday, 13 April, 2002
10:00AM-4:00PM with our featured speaker at 7:30PM

We will have a series of displays that include the solar system, deep space, and light polution. We also have many telescopes on hand, solar observing (weather providing), tours of the Neuman Observatory, movies, computer quizzes, and three speakers.

New Jersey

City: Hackettstown
Organization: United Astronomy Clubs of NJ

UACNJ
c/o Jenny Jump State Forest
P.O. Box 150
Hope, NJ 07844

Saturday, April 20
Warren County Branch Library, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
UACNJ Observatory, 7:30-11:00 p.m.

desc: The United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey (UACNJ) will be celebrating National Astronomy Day on Saturday, April 20. Their will be presentations, solar telescopes and displays set up at the Warren County Branch Library near Hackettstown from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Weather permitting, telescopes will be set up for an evening star party from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. at the Observatory at Jenny Jump State Forest. See the UACNJ web page for more information and irections:
http://users.erols.com/njastro/orgs/astday02.htm.

New Mexico

City: Santa Fe
Organization: City of Santa Fe public library La Farge branch & Aztec home Schooling
Contact: Gail Schuler & Ed Chacon

1419 Monterey dr. Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505

April 15 thru 21th

A display of space rocks: meteorites, Tektites simulated Moon & Mars rocks. A time machine, A viewing of the comet Ikeya-Zhang on the 18th of April (weather permitting) A reading by Edgar Allen Poe: the Raven,and a visit by Dr. Robert Goodard, brought forth by the time machine. A display of books on Space and lastly computers set up for participants to go to selected web sites.

New York

City: Yonkers
Organization: The Hudson River Museum
Contact: Zoe Lindsay

511 Warburton Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10701

Sunday, April 28 12:30 - 4:30 pm

Safely view the sun with the Westchester Amateur Astronomers using telescopes with proper protection. Stroll through a 900-foot scale model of the solar system on the museum grounds. Find a star that is as many light years away as your age. See how the stars in Orion and the Big Dipper are arranged in 3D constellation models. Meet the planets when Mars, Jupiter and other planets visit the Museum. Learn to mark the hours, by day or night by constructing star clocks and sundials. Using a star chart, make your own constellation by writing a legend and constructing a glow-in-the-dark picture. Conduct hands-on experiments in the Light Lab. Explore the secrets of rainbows with prisms. Identify gases by the color of light they emit and discover how the lenses of a telescope work. Planetarium Shows - The Sky Tonight 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. (Discover the season’s constellations, planets and features of the night sky. Live lecture) Historic Observatory Exhibit - Enter the world of Henry Draper, a pioneer in astrophotography, courtesy of the Hastings Historical Society.

Oregon

City: Eugene

Organization: Eugene Astronomical Society

Contact: Jean Grendler

3330 Alder Street
Eugene, Oregon 97405

Saturday, April 20, 2002
1:30-5pm & 7-10pm
North Eugene High School
200 Silver Lane, Eugene

Daytime features solar observing, slide presentations, "Tour of the Universe", "Telescope Alley" with vendors and local experts to help participants with telescopes that they bring, Student Projects, displays by an observatory, teacher training session, and meteorite display featuring a "Mars Rock". Kids activity room, comet building demonstration, and JPL Solar System Ambassador. Evening features a sky orientation, two slide presentations, featuring the Aurora Borealis, and a solar system tour. Star Party with a field full of telescopes. Hosted by North Eugene High School, and cosponsored by The Friends of Pine Mountain Observatory, and The Science Factory.

City: Oregon City
Organization: Haggart Observatory
Contact: James Dickinson

Clackamas Community College
19600 S Molalla Ave
Oregon City, OR 97045

• Saturday April 13: Northwest Regional IDA Conference - Bob McGowan, Dareth Murray.
• Monday April 15 - Friday April 19: 11 -1 Daily information table by community center. Possibly a solar telescope will be set up. 1:30-3 Tours of Haggart Observatory. Free public viewing 8-10 pm if clear skies.
• Wednesday April 17, 7-8 pm: Words Form the Stars .
  Kate Gray and James Dickinson will present a poetry and astronomy connected talk.
• Friday April 19 7-8 pm: TBA Talk If someone wants to present or we get a volunteer from RCA or IDA.
• Saturday April 20, 3-7: Information table and tours of Haggart Observatory
  TBA Talk If someone wants to present or we get a volunteer from RCA or IDA. Free public viewing 8-10 pm if clear skies.

City: Salem
Organization: Night Sky 45 Astronomy Club http://nightsky45.com/
Contact: Kathy Zendner

825 Appleblossom Av. NE
Salem, OR. 97303

Saturday, April 20, 2002
11:30am-3:00pm

Night Sky 45 Astronomy Club of Salem,Oregon and A.C. Gilbert Children's Museum http://www.acgilbert.org/ will present a program using the "Starlab" portable planetarium,and astronomy related arts & crafts activites.This event is open to the public. There is an entry fee for the museum. A public star party will follow later in the evening.

Pennsylvania

City: State College
Organization: Central Pennsylvania Observers (CPO)
Contact: Neil Carlson

109 Willow Bend Dr.
Bellefonte, PA 16823

(Sky Watch) April 19, 8:30-10:00PM
(Information Booth) April 20, 10:00AM - 5:00PM

On April 19-20, the Central Pennsylvania Observers (CPO) amateur astronomy club will celebrate Astronomy Day with a free public nighttime Sky Watch and daytime informational displays.

On April 19th, the CPO will present the first of their 2002 series of free public Sky Watches at Tudek Park near State College, PA. Various makes and sizes of telescopes will be available for observing and members of the club will be available to show the public the various wonders of the night sky and to answer any questions. The Sky Watch begins at 8:30PM and will last until approximately 10:00PM

On April 20th, the Central Pennsylvania Observers amateur astronomy club will present an information booth at the Nittany Mall near State College, PA. Displays will include: a variety of telescopes and observing tools; a "see and compare" opportunity to view through a so called "department store" quality telescope and a larger aperture quality telescope; displays of various solar system and deep space objects; a chart over 20 long showing the relative distances in the solar system plus the distance to the nearest star; and weather permitting, a live solar viewing display with a large refractor and CCD/video monitor technology. Various "freebies" will also be provided to the public. The interactive display will be available from 10:00AM to 5:00PM.

South Carolina

City: Aiken
Organization: University of South Carolina Aiken, Augusta Astronomy Club
Contact: Gary J. Senn, Ph.D.

471 University Pkwy
Aiken, SC 29801

Saturday, April 20, 2002
6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

The Augusta Astronomy Club, the Dupont Planetarium, and the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center will host their Spring Star Party and Earth Day Celebration on April 20, 2002.

Astronomy Activities:
The planetarium show, “The Voyager Encounters” will be available for viewing. Activities will begin at dusk and continue until about 11:00 p.m. Activities will include planetarium shows, viewing of stellar objects through telescopes and lectures on astronomy. The viewing and lectures are free but there will be a charge for the planetarium shows. Planetarium shows will be offered on a first come first serve basis. The shows will begin on the hour with the first show at 7:00 p.m. The free astronomy lectures will begin 8:00 and 9:00 p.m.

Featuring a Planetary “Alignment”:
>From our perspective on earth, there are times when the planets appear
>to be aligned in the night sky. In space, the planets are usually not
>in a straight line so the term alignment is really not accurate. The
>last time that there was such an “alignment” was in the fall of 1997.
>On April 20, 2002, all five of the visible planets will be seen
>together just after sunset and will be highlighted by a first quarter
>moon.

Celebration of our Earth:
Join us between 6pm -9pm as we celebrate our wonderful Earth. Fun filled family activities planned inlcude, the Earth Day Groceries Project, recycled art, bird house construction, paper making, and many more FREE hands-on Earth Day projects.

TheFamily Earth and Sky Night will be held rain or shine at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center at USC Aiken. Free refreshments will be available. Plan to bring friends and your whole family to a fun-filled evening of celebration.

Tennessee

City: Dickson
Organization: Dickson Renaissance Center & Middle Tennessee Space Society
Contact: Chuck Schlemm

508 Beechgrove Way
Burns, TN 37029

April 20, 2002

• 10-3PM Kids College on Rocketry -Grades 1-8; Grades 5-8 build model rockets
• 12-5PM Sunspot viewing with Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society telescopes
• 2-3PM The Explorers, Cybersphere Planetarium show
• 3-4PM Laser Retro, Cybersphere music & laser show
• 4-7PM Dream Mission -Sit at the controls of the half size Space Shuttle during a mission, FREE
• 4-5PM "America in Space", Chuck Schlemm, President of Middle Tennessee Space Society, FREE
• 5-6PM "Our Solar System", Chuck Schlemm, President of Middle Tennessee Space Society, FREE
• 6-7PM "Our Sun", Tom Murdic, NASA Solar System Ambassador and BSAS member, FREE
• 7-8PM "Tonight's Starry Sky": largest, brightest, quadruplet stars, and planets, FREE
• 7-9PM Theater play "The Odd Couple"
• 8-9PM Laser Mania, Cybersphere music & laser show
• 9-10PM Laser X, Cybersphere music & laser show
• 8-10PM Star viewing with Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society telescopes, FREE

City: Nashville
Organization:
Contact: Drew Gilmore

Sudekum Planetarium
800 Ft Negley Blvd
Nashville TN 37203
(615) 401-5077

The theme for Sudekum Planetarium's Astronomy Day 2002 is Moon Madness. From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on April 20, there will be activities, demonstrations, and programs for visitors of all ages.

A major highlight of Astronomy Day will be presentations by the Bad Astronomer, Dr. Phil Plait, of Sonoma State University in California. Dr. Plait will present two talks on Astronomy Day. "Astronomical Myths and Misconceptions" at 12:00 p.m. will address Bad Astronomy in general, and "The Moon Landing 'Hoax'" at 2:00 p.m. will focus specifically on the theory that NASA astronauts never really landed on the moon.

The Moon Madness doesn't end there! An authentic moon rock will be on public display in the Planetarium lobby through late May. We will also have two meteorites on display for visitors to compare and contrast.

To learn even more about the Moon, join the crew of TransLunar 4 in the Sudekum Planetarium for Lunar Odyssey, an informative tourists' trip to Earth's nearest neighbor that will be offered throughout April.

In addition to the daytime activities, two FREE public star parties are also scheduled. The first will be Friday, April 19, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., at the model airplane field at Edwin Warner Park. The second will be Saturday night, also from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, TN. Members of the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society will provide breath-taking, telescopic views of Jupiter, Saturn, the Orion Nebula, and more.

Texas

City: Dallas
Organization: Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas
Contact: Dan Doyle

PO Box 703247
Dallas Tx 75370

April 20th, from 11am to 11pm

Event will be held at the Richland College Planetarium at 12800 Abrams and Walnut just north of LBJ Freeway. Activities include: Arts and crafts for the kids, guest lectures, planetarium shows, multimedia exhibits, door prizes and telescope viewing.

City: Dallas
Organization: Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas
Contact: Dan Doyle

PO Box 703247
Dallas Tx 75370

April 20th, from 11am to 11pm

Event will be held at the Richland College Planetarium at 12800 Abrams and Walnut just north of LBJ Freeway. Activities include: Arts and crafts for the kids, guest lectures, planetarium shows, multimedia exhibits, door prizes and telescope viewing.

City: Laredo
Organization: Astronomy Club of Laredo
Contact: Ricky Smith

c/o Laredo Public Library
1120 East Calton Road
Laredo, TX 78041

Saturday, April 20, 2002
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

During the afternoon, we'll hand out literature and have books and posters on display in the lobby of the main library. The evening portion will be a lecture by our Astronomy Club liaison and star gazing from the library's telescopes.

City: Whitney
Organization: Lake Whitney Astronomy Association
Contact: Thomas Williamson

7005 Southampton
North Richland Hills,TX 76180-4433

April 12th & 13th
Starts at 12 Noon Friday, Ends at dawn Sunday.

Lake Whitney State Park
P.O. Box 1175
Whitney, TX 76692
512-389-8900
http://whitney-astro.com/

Lake Whitney State Park Recreation Hall
Friday, April 12th & 13th 2002:

Einstein's Relativity video ( twelve 45 min lectures ), public telescope viewing, mirror making class, guest speakers Dr. Paul Derrick from the Waco Tribune (the star gazer) and AAAA President Ed Flaspoehler. Free public telescope making and observing awardes. All-night use of the Recreation Hall's kitchen, rest rooms, etc

Turkey

State: Not Applicable
City: Kayseri
Organization: Erciyes University

Dr. Ibrahim KÜCÜK

Erciyes University, Astronomy and Space Sciences Department, 38039, Kayseri, Turkey.

May 16-17, 2002
10:30 am - 24:00 pm (talks, then observation)

Talks about basic observational astronomy, stars and cosmology will be given. Each day at the end of the program there will be an observation of planets, galaxy and moon if wheather permits. Our URL:http://astronomi.erciyes.edu.tr

Utah

City: Salt Lake City
Organization: Hansen Planetarium
Contact: Claudia H. Nakano/Richard Cox

15 South State Street

Saturday, April 20, 2002

Hansen Planetarium celebrates Astronomy Day 2002 at its new (though unfinished) Clark Planetarium facility in Salt Lake City's Gateway District. Planetarium Education staff members will be viewing the planetry/Moon lineup along the ecliptic with telescopes and handing out brochrues, free posters, and membership information. The event runs from 8:00-10:00 p.m. MDT. (The move to Gateway is Autumn 2002.) Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman will proclaim April 15-21, 2002, Astronomy Week. The proclamation will be read in County Council Chambers at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16.

Virginia

City: Alexandria
Organization: Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA)
Contact: Ms. Kitty Keller, FCPA Naturalist

Huntley Meadows Park
3701 Lockheed Blvd.
Phone: 703-768-2525
http://www.co.fairfax.va.us/parks/huntley.htm

Sat., 20 April 2002, 3 - 9 p.m.

"Astronomy Day at Huntley Meadows Park" is a collaborative venture among Fairfax County Public Schools planetarium teachers, the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC), and the Fairfax County Park Authority. A short blurb appears online at the following URL: http://www.wsanford.com/~wsanford/exo/ADatHMP3a.html

City: Virginia Beach
Organization: Back Bay Amateur Astronomers
Contact: George Reynolds/Dale Carey

George: 813 Romney Lane, Va. Beach, VA 23455
Dale: 612 Bent Branch Lane, Va. Beach, VA 23452

Saturday, April 20, 2002 at the entrance to the Virginia Beach Central Library, on Virginia Beach Boulevard

The event will be held from 10 AM to 5 PM. The library will have an astronomy related display, and weather permitting, members will have telescopes focused on the sun. NASA Solar System Ambassador, George Reynolds will also be featured!

City: Virginia Beach
Organization: Back Bay Amateur Astronomers
Contact: Ted Forte

BBAA PO Box 9877, Virginia Beach, VA 23450-9877

Saturday, April 20th 10am to 5pm at the Virginia Beach Central Library, and 7:30-9pm Kauffman Hall, Old Dominion University in Norfolk.

The Virginia Beach Library will display astronomy books. The Back Bay Amateur Astronomers will show the sun by projection, and through filtered telescopes (for sunspots and prominences). Later the moon will be viewed. (Weather Permitting). "Nasa Solar System Ambassador," George Reynolds, will diplay materials related to space exploration. Star Charts, Moon Maps and Moon Phase calendars, will be available for free, compliments of the Chesapeake Planetarium. The director of the Virginia Beach Planetarium will be available to answer questions. Finally, ther will be a free lecture by Seti Scientist Seth Shostek at ODU.

Washington

City: Bellingham
Organization: Whatcom Association of Celestial Observers
Contact: Gary Sell astrosphere@earthlink.net

WACO
P.O. Box 1721
Ferndale, WA 98248-1721
http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~trekka/

Saturday, May 18th, Noon to 10pm

Bellingham Astronomy Day is coming in May!

Once again WACO will present Bellingham Astronomy Day, a public event showcasing our Northwestern skies. This event has been a big hit in the past, and this year should prove to be no exception.

Bellingham Astronomy Day will be held at Boulevard Park along the waterfront of Bellingham. On a sunny day, Boulevard Park can be one of the most beautiful places in Bellingham — and one of the busiest. The event is scheduled for May 18th, from Noon until 10pm. WACOs will set up various scopes, allowing the public to view a first quarter moon. Several members have solar filters, allowing solar observing as well. As dusk settles, the public will be introduced to all the wonders in a springtime sky.

A three sided tent will be provided by the Bellingham Parks Department, where we will be able to show slide presentations and display posters and other info. Electricity for a slide projector is uncertain, but the parks department is working to make it happen.

Directions to Boulevard Park

• South State St. and Bayview Dr.
• Boulevard Park can be accessed by the lower parking lot, right where South State turns into 11th St.
• The park entrance is easy to miss so look carefully.
• You can also park up above closer to Bellingham along South State St.

City: Everett
Organization: The Everett Astronomical Society & The Everett Public Library
Contact:
EAS Publicity: Mike Eytcheson, (206) 364-5115, eytcheson@seanet.com
EAS web page: http://members.tripod.com/everett_astronomy/
Or contact Everett Public Library at (425) 257-8023

The Everett Astronomical Society will have Astronomy Day presentations and activities at the Everett Public Library on Saturday April 20th, from 10:00 AM until 5:30 PM located at 2702 Hoyt Ave Everett, Wa.

These free presentations will include slide shows, telescope displays, computer astronomy, books, photographs, posters, activities, and having amateur astronomers on hand to answer questions. These will be on display in the Jackson entry room at the library on Saturday.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, April 19th and April 20th from Dusk
(About 7 PM) until around 10PM, the Everett Astronomical Society will hold free public observing sessions at Harborview Park (weather permitting) and will have many telescopes of various types set up so that members of the public can come and see what can be seen in the sky through a telescope. Featured will be close up detail views of the moon, and the planets. Also featured will be selected star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae that are bright enough to be seen from within Everett. This allows people to learn about the range of telescopes that are available, how they work, and ask questions about telescopes from local experts.

Wisconsin

City: Green Bay
Organization: Neville Public Museum Astronomical Society
Contact: Gerry Kocken

1357 Sand Acres Drive
De Pere, WI 54115

April 20th.
Day time 10:00 am to 2:30 pm
Night time 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Day time exhibits, activities, and solar observing at the Neville Public Museum from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. Public observing at the Wildlife Sanctuary grounds off Danz Avenue from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

City: Mequon
Organization: Northern Cross Science Foundation
Contact: Jeff Setzer

1418 Trillium Court
West Bend, WI 53095

Friday, April 19: 7:00pm to midnight
Saturday, April 20: 7:00pm to midnight

Join us for exciting observation of the moon, 5 planets, and Comet Ikeya-Zhang! We will be at Concordia University-Wisconsin for an unforgettable pair of starlit nights. Telescope viewing will be near the parking lot in front of the Administration building. See http://www.ncsf.info for more information.

Related Links: