ASTRONOMY DAY 2009 SATURDAY, 02 MAY	ASTRONOMY WEEK 2009 27 APRIL - 03 MAY

• What is Astronomy Day?

  • Astronomy Day is a grass roots movement designed to share the joy of astronomy with the general population – “Bringing Astronomy to the People.” On Astronomy Day, 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 all excited. Astronomy clubs, science museums, observatories, universities, planetariums, laboratories, libraries, and nature centers host special events and activities to acquaint their population with local astronomical resources and facilities. Many of these events are located at non-astronomical sites; shopping malls, parks, urban centers-truly Bringing Astronomy to the People. It is an astronomical PR event that helps highlight ways the general public can get involved with astronomy – or at least get some of their questions about astronomy answered. Astronomy Week encompasses Astronomy Day starting on the previous Monday and ending on the following Sunday.

    from The Astronomical League website
     

• How is MiraCosta College participating in Astronomy Day?
  • Star parties! Visit the Observing page for the schedule.
     
• What’s a star party?
  • A star party is simply a gathering of people interested in viewing the night sky and some of the fascinating objects in it. Many times it begins with a gathering of amateur astronomers who simply want to bring their various telescopes together to do some basic observing, maybe some astrophotography, discuss their equipment and experiences, and share and learn from each other. At MiraCosta College, we’ll set up two or three telescopes, point them at objects like Saturn and Jupiter, maybe the Orion Nebula, star clusters, and double stars, and enjoy the view. Learn how to find Polaris (the North Star), the Big Dipper, Orion the Hunter, and other constellations. Have you got a set of star charts or a planisphere and don’t know how to use it? Bring them to the star party – we’ll show you how!

Webpage last updated: February 2009
Webpage maintenance: rfrench[at]miracosta.edu