10/02/2019
The Minnesota Astronomical Society would like to invite you to attend the Astronomical League’s Fall Astronomy Day activities at the MAS Eagle Lake Observatory in Baylor Regional Park. Speakers are scheduled throughout the day and will give talks on astronomy and what there is to see. Door prize drawings will be held Saturday evening and include MAS merchandise, astronomy books and videos. Weather permitting, the evening will conclude with tours of the night sky and of course stargazing.
Schedule of Events – Subject to Change
Saturday October 5, 2019
The observatory will open at 1:00 pm for some solar viewing as well as other bright daytime objects. Venus and Mercury will be visible in the afternoon. Jupiter, The Moon, Saturn, and Neptune after sunset We may even see the Dwarf Planet Ceres and a comet or two. In the evening we’ll have some of the late Summer & Fall objects coming into view including the Swan nebula, Ring nebula, the Dumbbell nebula, the Wild Duck cluster, the Whirlpool galaxy, the Hercules Cluster, and Andromeda galaxy among many others.
Scheduled Speakers
2:00
Speaker: Colin Kilbane
Topic: “Mad Scientist” presentation, with fascinating science demonstrations of chemical reactions, bubbling potions and more.
3:00
Speaker: Sarah Weaver
Topic: Talking Science-Engaging the public one person at a time.
4:00
Speaker: Sarah Komperud
Topic: Astronomy at the Bell Museum has moved beyond just the planetarium. Telescope observing, a Saturday morning youth program, special exhibits, events, and PreK-12 lab experiences all augment the planetarium and permanent Life in the Universe exhibit. What’s more – we’re pushing the planetarium to do more than ever before with new, never before seen content. Astronomy is for everyone. Come ignite your curiosity and wonder, explore our connections to nature and the universe, and help us create a better future for our evolving world.
5:00
Dinner Break
7:00
Speaker: Parke Kunkle
Topic: Precession: What is it? Why is Polaris the current north star? What does this have to do with the zodiac?
Parke will define and demonstrate precession, relate it to Earth’s motion, discuss our past, current and future north stars. As time permits, he will demonstrate where our Sun actually is in the zodiac.
8:00
Door Prize Drawing – Must be present to win.
9:30
Tour of the Sky on the Plaza: We will conduct a laser pointer tour of the constellations from the plaza in front of the Onan Observatory. (If it is cloudy there will be a presentation in the classroom)
Evening Activities
The evening will continue with viewing through our array of telescopes. We bid farewell to the best summer constellations, nebula and clusters and enjoy the arrival of some of the fall and winters best while the Minnesota temperatures are still “balmy”.
