MAS's Astronomy Day
Saturday April 24th, 2010

Astronomy Day – Spring Edition

April 24, 2010 – Noon to 9 PM

(Observing will continue into the night, weather permitting)

 

Daytime Activities

1. Daytime on the Plaza – Noon to 9 PM
1. Solar observation
2. Daytime viewing

                                                               i.      Moon

                                                              ii.      Venus

                                                            iii.      Mars

                                                            iv.      Other objects that may be visible during the day

2. Webcam Astrophotography – Dave Venne

This demonstration will show how a webcam and small, guided telescope can be used to image the Sun, Moon, Saturn, and Mars. (If it's cloudy, previously recorded webcam videos will be used.) 

3. Tour of facilities, telescopes and associated equipment
4. Table displays of celestial objects
5. MAS logo merchandise
6. Information brochures on the MAS and the proposed Minnesota Planetarium
7. Display of prizes to be given away

 

Afternoon Presentations

1:00 – 2:00:  “Welcome to Astronomy Day” – Steve Emert

                                - History of Astronomy Day

                                - History of the Minnesota Astronomical Society

                                - MAS today

2:30 – 3:00: How Do We Know What Stars Are Made Of? – Parke Kunkle

We will look at the spectra of several gases and see how astronomers learn the composition of stars, gas clouds, and galaxies.

3:00 – 3:30: The North Star: How to Find It, Why It Is, and Why It Won’t Be in the Future – Parke Kunkle 

We will show you how to find north in the northern hemisphere, how to find south in the southern sky, why Polaris is our North Star, why it wasn’t in the past and won’t be in the future.

 

4:00 – 5:00:  “Flat Screen Tour of the Universe” – Sally Brummel

 

5:00 – 6:30:  Dinner Break

 

Evening Activities

6:30 – 7:30:  “Exploring Tonight’s Sky” – Bob Kerr

Bob Kerr gives us a preview of the evening sky, the constellations and objects to view.

 

7:30 – 8:00:   Drawings for Prizes

1. Celestron FirstScope (IYA Commemorative)
2. 60 mm (2.3”) Meade telescope
3. Astronomy Books
4. 2-Red light magnifier/flashlight
5. MAS Ball Cap
6. MAS Mug
7. MAS Tee Shirt

 

8:00 – 9:00:  “Robots in Space” – Ron Schmit

Every day, we’re learning something we never knew about Mercury, Saturn, Mars, even Pluto, thanks to these mechanized-Magellans. Meet these robots, see what they saw, and learn what they’ve discovered on this shoreline of our cosmic ocean.

 

Nighttime on the Plaza – 9:00 to midnight and beyond

1. Webcam Astrophotography continued – Dave Venne
2. Viewing through telescopes – Imaging through C14

 

9:30 – 10:00:  “Laser Tour of the Constellations” – Ron Schmit

                Ron will be conducting a live tour of the constellations visible that night using a laser pointer for identifying the stars and how they are grouped together to form constellations.