Astronomy events set for weekend

Published: Thursday, May 8, 2008 12:26 a.m. MDT
E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Utahns are invited to participate in International Astronomy Day events on Friday and Saturday.

The Astronomy Day series includes a variety of events, most of them free, to encourage individuals and families to learn about space and science.

"Astronomy Day is an interactive day for adults and children, novices to experts," said Jake Garn, former astronaut and senator, in a press release. "It's a great example of organizations collaborating together to create educational and fun events full of stargazing, solar cooking and music."

Astronomy Day Eve begins Friday at 6:30 p.m. with star parties and solar observation in the parking lots of the Brickyard Harmons grocery store, 3200 S. 1300 East, and the South Jordan Harmons grocery store, 10500 S. Redwood.

The event continues Saturday at Clark Planetarium at noon with a series of science demonstrations. Representatives from Salt Lake Astronomical Society and the University of Utah will be at the planetarium showcasing their astronomy programs. In addition, all shows in the Hansen Dome Theatre will have $1 admission from 12:30 to 6:45 p.m.

Stargazers also can attend a free lecture at Clark Planetarium in the Hansen Dome Theatre on "How to Use a Telescope and Observing the Skies" at 4:30 p.m. A drawing for a free Meade telescope will follow the lecture.

Story continues below
Saturday events continue at This Is the Place Heritage Park at 4 p.m. with a music performance by the Brainiacs. At 8 p.m., at This Is the Place Heritage Park, Garn will talk about his experiences in space.

Western Utah stargazers can attend the Stansbury Park Observatory Complex, weather permitting, at 6 p.m., where members of SLAS will be on hand to provide solar telescopes for safe sun viewing, followed by nighttime star observing after sunset. The Brainiacs also will perform at 8 p.m.

Both locations will have drawings at 8:45 p.m. for telescopes, binoculars and other prizes, but entrants must be present to win.

For more information, see www.clarkplanetarium.org.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.