09/20/2020
Planet Party
When was the last time you really looked up? When was the last time you looked in a telescope? Come and join us for an evening to appreciate God’s creation above us. Former NASA researcher and instructor of science teachers, Billy Hix, will lead us in a fun evening full of interesting facts and views that “wow.”
When: Sunday evening, September 20, 2020
Where: On the Ball Field of Monte Sano Methodist Church
Time: The program will start at 7:00pm
What to bring? You need to bring lawn chairs and a mask
Target Audience: This program is for everyone who enjoys learning new things and being outside. It is for old and young alike.
What is a Planet Party: Jupiter is looking down on us every evening this late summer and early fall. The ancients use to be amazed at this bright spot in the sky that did not seem to move with the rest of the background stars. For many cultures, it was even worshiped or thought to be a king looking down on them. Now, we worship the one who made the universe, but we can still be inspired by its beauty and size. We will start at 6:45 and Billy will first speak about the night sky above us and some of the history of Jupiter. Then we will move to the telescopes for all to get a closer view of Jupiter (and maybe even Saturn).
Who is Billy Hix: Billy loves Monte Sano Methodist Church. He and his wife live in Shelbyville TN, and started attending when Billy spent his summers in Huntsville supporting NASA programs (his first visit was a Lunar Communion). He has spoken several times at MSUMC. He retired in 2015 and conducts science outreach to schools in his area with his portable planetarium. He conducts about 100 programs each year to students and teachers and has been given a large number of awards for his outreach. He was selected as science teacher of the year in TN, he serves as NASA’s Solar System Ambassador, he is a teacher liaison for the Space Foundation, and was awarded two years ago by the governor of TN as the one person who has made the largest impact on STEM education in the state.
Please note: This program is weather dependent!! If it is cloudy, we will not look in telescopes, but Billy will still do an outdoor program that you will enjoy. If it is raining or threating rain, we will NOT have this program.
