Statesboro Astronomy Club UPCOMING EVENTS
Statesboro Astronomy Club Georgia Southern Planetarium web site:
http://cost.georgiasouthern.edu/planetarium/
Statesboro Astronomy Club web site: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/6985
If you would like to be on our e-mail list to
know about any "spur of the moment" observing sessions on clear nights,
simply visit our home webpage and sign up. Just enter your e-mail
address and click on "subscribe" then "Join," it's that simple! You'll
never miss another event again!
It is our electronic daily newsletter to keep
everyone up to date on astronomy activities and news.
Please mark your calendars for the following important dates for these free events:
Statesboro Astronomy Club Meetings and Events*Star show of current night sky and telescopic observing (if skies
are clear) following planetarium presentations.
The Statesboro Astronomy Club usually meets following planetarium
public evenings. New members are welcome.
Georgia Southern Planetarium web site:
http://cost.georgiasouthern.edu/planetarium/
Please mark your calendars!
*PLEASE JOIN OUR E-MAIL LIST ON OUR MAIN
PAGE FOR UPCOMING OBSERVING SESSIONS.
*Planetarium Directions:
The Georgia Southern Planetarium is located in
the Math/Physics Bldg on Georgia Ave across Herty Dr. from Hanner Fieldhouse from Hwy 67. NOTE: HERTY DR HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY CLOSED BETWEEN SWEETHEART CIRCLE AND GEORGIA AVE TO MAKE A PEDESTRIUM. VISITORS CAN ENTER FROM HWY 67
For more info, call the Physics Dept at (912)
681-5292. All events are free and everyone is invited to join us!
MAP FOR THE GEORGIA SOUTHERN PLANETARIUM
located in the Math/Physics Building (203 on
campus map)
More detailed online map at: http://www.aux.georgiasouthern.edu/park/maps/parking_map.jpg
From Savannah: (approx. 1 hour drive) Take I-16W up to the Statesboro Exit. Turn right onto Hwy 67N. Follow it into Statesboro. The left turn onto Herty Dr. will be at the fifth trafficlight. Georgia Ave is the last left turn off Herty Drive. Parking will be to your right in the large parking lot, and the planetarium will be directly across the street in the Math/Physics/Computer Science building.
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Dark Site Observing sessions: TBA (Join the e-mail
listfor announcements)
*** Please remember to dim your headlights and drive
slowly and carefully asyou pull in, thanks. Remember to dress for the
weather. Some itemsto bring if you have them are: binoculars,
telescopes, lawn
chair, red filtered flash light, star and planet locator/charts, some
snacks and a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee to help keep you warm.
Always
check if we are going to meet if the weather is questionable.
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Some past events that were held:
Friday, February 18, 2005 - 6 pm and 7 pm
Gravity Probe B: Testing Einstein's Universe
Presented by physics major, Mr. Daniel Jones
Join us to hear about this fascinating mission and its discoveries about our universe. Star show of the current night sky, and if skies are clear, telescopic observing of Saturn, the moon, and more following presentations.
Saturday, March 5, 2005 -
10 am - 5 pm Astronomy and Space Day 2005
8 pm - 9 pm Star Party Up On the Roof
Join members of the physics department and Statesboro Astronomy Club for a day of fun with Moon rocks from the Apollo missions and meteorites on display, star shows every hour, NASA videos on missions, many hands-on activities and displays for all ages, safe solar observing, telescopic observing after dark, and a lot more!
Friday, April 8, 2005 - 4:30 - 6 pm
Live Annular Solar Eclipse!
Join us to safely watch this exciting event as the moon passes between us and the sun live through our telescopes or solar eclipse shades! (If weather is cloudy, star shows and solar eclipse demonstrated inside the planetarium.)
Friday, April 29, 2005 - 7 pm and 8 pm
Ethereal Dreams of the Night Sky
Presented by Mrs. Stephanie Jones
Join us to hear the mythology of the constellations. Star show of the current night sky, and if skies are clear, telescopic observing of Saturn and Jupiter following presentations.
Saturday, June 25, 2005 - 9 - 10 pm (if skies are clear) Star Party at the Garden - Join Statesboro Astronomy Club members at the Georgia Southern Botanical Garden http://welcome.georgiasouthern.edu/garden/ as they share the views through their telescopes with the public. See the planet Jupiter and its largest moons, star clusters, constellations, and more. If you have a telescope you are not sure how to operate, bring it out and we will assist you.- Free sky maps, hands-on demos, and more. Hope you can join us for a fun evening under the night sky as we explore our galaxy. Free event for all ages.
Sept 24, 2004 - 7 & 8 pm - Constellations: Stories of the Night Sky
Oct 22, 2004 - 7 & 8 pm - Eclipses!
Oct 27, 2004 - 9 pm until midnight (If clear) - Total Lunar Eclipse Party!
Nov 13, 2004 - 2 pm - Native American Skies
Nov 19, 2004 - 7 & 8 pm - Looking Up: How and Why We Use Telescopes to Study the Cosmos - Dr. Sean O'Brien
Dec 3, 2004 - 6, 7, & 8 pm - Holiday Shows
Georgia
Southern Planetarium Spring 2004 Public Events
Fri, Jan 30
6 pm -
University Students
7 pm –
General Public
LIVE FROM
THE RED PLANET - Dr. Lisa Rossbacher
Fri, Feb 27
6 pm -
University Students
7 pm –
General Public
A KING'S
RANSOM IN GOLD: THE GREAT LONGITUDE PRIZE OF THE 18TH CENTURY
- Dr. Clayton Heller
Saturday,
March 27 10 am – 4 pm
ASTRONOMY AND SPACE DAY 2004 AT THE
PLANETARIUM!
Fri, Apr 23
7 pm -
University Students
8 pm –
General Public
THE NEW
COSMOLOGY - Dr. Ben Zellner
2003 Events:
Friday, Sept 5, 2003, 8 pm
"EXPLORING MARS!" See Mars still at its best and closest in
almost 60,000 years! Learn about the many missions that have been
there or are on their way to Mars.
Friday, Oct 3, 2003, 7 pm
"THE THEORY OF GRAVITY: FROM APPLES TO BLACK HOLES" - Daniel Jones
Join us as we explore the fascinating theory of gravity!
Saturday, Nov 8, 2003, 7 pm
"TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE: LIVE AT THE PLANETARIUM!" Come out and join
us as we watch a total lunar eclipse, live! If cloudy or raining,
we will still have it live on the dome via internet and bring the stars
out in the planetarium.
Friday, Dec 5, 2003, 6:00, 6:30, and 7:30 pm
"THE DECEMBER SKY" Join us for a festive evening under the stars
and learn what you can see over the holiday season from your backyard!
MARS STAR PARTIES!
Saturday, August 23
after dark until midnight at the Magnolia Springs State Park, weather
permitting.
Come out to see Mars at its best through telescopes of astronomy club
members. The state park requires a $2.00 car park pass
at
the gate. For more information and a map, see the Magnolia
Springs
State Park website at: http://gastateparks.org/info/magspr/
Spring 2003 Georgia Southern Planetarium Public Evenings
January 10, 2003 7:30
pm SEARCHING
FOR ET - Mike Downing
Is there life out there in the universe, and how are we looking for
it?
February 7, 2003 6:30 & 7:30
pm LEGENDS OF THE NIGHT SKY - Marla
Johnson
Hear the fascinating stories and mythology of the beautiful
constellations.
March 7, 2003 7:30
pm METEORITES AND ASTEROIDS - Dr. Michael
Kelley
What is the connection between meteorites and asteroids? Dr.
Michael Kelley of the Georgia Southern Department of Geology and
Geography will explore this topic. Meteorites will be on display
for viewing.
April 5, 2003 10 am - 4
pm ASTRONOMY AND SPACE DAY
2003!
Join members of the Statesboro Astronomy Club and the Georgia Southern
University Department of Physics for a fun day filled with astronomy
and space science activities, Moon rocks and more on
display! star shows, rockets, Ask an Astronomer, and NASA-JPL videos of
space exploration.
For all ages, hope you can join us!
April 5, 2003 7:30 pm STAR PARTY AT THE PLANETARIUM - UP ON THE ROOF (Please note change
to new location )
Join us for a night of planet and star gazing outdoors, IF CLEAR, at the Georgia Southern Planetarium.
This is a free public event, so plan on bringing the whole family on
out for a night of star gazing up on the roof.
Hope to see you there!
For more information, please call the department of physics at
(912)681-5292.
Saturday, July 19, 2003, 4 pm
"STARS OF THE SUMMER SKY"
Fall 2002 Georgia Southern Planetarium Public Evenings
Friday, September 13,
2002
7:30 pm
VOYAGER: 25 YEARS OF DISCOVERY AND BEYOND
JPL Solar System Ambassador, Becky Lowder, will explore the past
fascinating discoveries, and the
future interstellar mission of Voyager as it continues its journey
though space.
Friday, October 11,
2002
7:30 pm
HUBBLE REBORN
Dr. Ben Zellner, Professor of Physics and Planetary Astronomer, will
explore the history, images, and
recent servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope as we look deeper
into our universe.
Friday, November 8,
2002
7:30 pm
SPACE, TIME, AND EINSTEIN
Dr. Clayton Heller, Assistant Professor of Physics and Galactic
Astronomer, will explore Einstein’s
fascinating theory of relativity. (High school age and up)
Spring 2002:
2002 Events:
Friday, January 25, 2002 - 7:30 pm EXPLORERS OF
MAUNA KEA (Middle school age and up
please)
Join astronomers as we explore our universe
with some of the largest telescopes in the world atop
Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Interactive star show of the current night sky and
a telescope mirror activity
included, as we all become explorers of the sky! Telescopic
viewing outdoors of Saturn and Jupiter
following the presentation, weather permitting.
Friday, February 22 - 7: 30 pm SATURN: LORD OF
THE RINGS (Middle school age and up
please)
Join astronomer Dr. Clayton Heller, Assist. Professor of Physics, as he
takes us on a tour of Saturn and its ring system.
Why do all of the gas giant planets have rings? Join us to find
out! Information on the Cassini mission to Saturn will also be
discussed and fact sheets will be available for the audience. If clear,
telescopic viewing of Saturn and Jupiter outdoors following the
presentation.
(The following event will be held at the
Georgia Southern Botanical Garden)
Saturday, March 2, 2002 (Rain date:
March 9) 6:30 pm - 10 pm
STAR GAZING IN THE GARDEN (For all ages!)
Join members of the Statesboro Astronomy Club at the Georgia Southern
Botanical Garden as they
share views of Saturn and its rings, Jupiter and its moons, the Great
Orion Nebula, and other incredible
sky objects through their telescopes. Naked eye tours and stories of
the constellations, as well as
information on the Galileo, Cassini, and other exciting missions into
our solar system with NASA's JPL
Solar System Ambassador, Becky Lowder.
This is a free public event, so plan on bringing the whole family on
out for a night of star gazing at the
garden. Bring your binoculars and/or telescope, blanket or chairs,
and a red filtered flashlight if you have
them.
The Botanical Garden is located on Bland Ave. From Fair Rd. (67) turn
onto West Gentilly , take the first
left and bear left onto Bland Ave. Turn left through the main garden
gates and park. There will be
someone there to guide you to the observing area.
If the weather is overcast/raining, we will move it to March 9 as a
rain date. Hope to see you there!
web site:
http://www2.gasou.edu/garden/
Friday, March 22, 2002 - 7:30 pm THE GREENHOUSE
EFFECT: FACT VS FICTION (Middle
school age and up please)
Join astronomer, Dr. Ben Zellner, Professor of Physics, as he explores
the facts and myths of the greenhouse effect.
What happened on Venus, and will it happen to Earth? Please
join us to find out!
Saturday, April 6, 2002 - 10 am - 4 pm
ASTRONOMY AND SPACE DAY 2002! (For all ages!)
Join us for our largest event of the year to celebrate astronomy and
space!
*See real moon rocks from the Apollo missions, and meteorites, on loan
from NASA
*Meet and talk with astronomers from the Georgia Southern University
Department of Physics
*Lots of hands-on astronomy and space activities for ALL ages
*Star shows of the current night sky on the hour
*Telescope and astronomy displays with the Statesboro Astronomy Club
*NASA/JPL videos on exploration of space with a NASA JPL Solar System
Ambassador
*Free astronomy and space activities to take home
*Safe telescopic solar viewing of sunspots, if skies are clear
AND A LOT MORE! PLEASE JOIN US FOR A DAY FULL OF FUN AT THE
PLANETARIUM!
Friday, April 19, 2002 - 7:30 pm KILLER
ASTEROIDS? (ages 10 and up)
Join Georgia Southern Physics Professor and Astronomer, Dr. Ben
Zellner, as he discusses the search for asteroids coming too close to
our planet, and what could happen.
2001 Events: Friday, January 12, 2001 - 7:30
pm Capturing a Bit of Stardust
Friday, February 2, 2001 - 7:30 pm
NEAR Shoemaker on Asteroid Eros Friday, March 2 - 7:30
pm
The Explorers of Mauna Kea Saturday, April 7 - 10 am - 4
pm Astronomy and Space Day Saturday, June 23, 2001 (Starting at 9PM)
The spacecraft, STARDUST, is on its way to fly through the tail ofComet
Wilde-2 in 2004. It will capture
the primordial ingredients of our solar system and return them to
Earthin 2006! Some students from
Statesboro have their names onboard. Come find out who, and
allabout comets and STARDUST!
The NEAR-Shoemaker spacecraft has been in orbit around Asteroid Erosfor
almost a year, and will make
its closest approach to the surface on February 14th as the
missionends. Join us to find out what new
discoveries have been made and see the incredible images taken. Will
this information help us to deflect
any future Near-Earth asteroids headed our way? Join us to
findout!
Find out what the astronomers of the twin Keck telescopes in Hawaiihave
discovered, and how telescopes
work. Become an "explorer" as you operate telescopic mirrorsto
gather the light from distant stars and
galaxies! An exciting new show from the Bishop Museum of
HawaiiandNASA.
Join us for our largest event of the year to celebrate astronomy
andspace!
*See real moon rocks from the Apollo missions, and meteorites on
loan from NASA
*Meet and talk with astronomers from the GaSoU Department of Physics
*Lots of hands-on astronomy and space activities for ALL ages
*Star shows of the current night sky on the hour and NASA/JPL videos
*Telescope and astronomy/space displays
*Free astronomy and space activities to take home
*Safe telescopic solar viewing of sunspots, if skies are clear
Please join us for a day full of fun at the GaSoU Planetarium!
SUMMER STAR PARTY AT THE GARDEN
Join members of the Statesboro Astronomy Club at the
Georgia Southern University Botanical Garden for an evening under the
stars!
They will be sharing incredible views of the night
sky through their telescopes with the public. The public and families
are invited to bring binoculars, or that Christmas telescope they are
still
having trouble using, and astronomy club members will assist them.
The red planet, Mars, will be spectacular and bright to
view later in the evening, so don't miss this wonderful event!
Directions: GSU
BotanicalGarden webpage at - http://www2.gasou.edu/garden/
Coming into Statesboro from Savannah on Hwy 67 , turnLEFT onto West
Gentilly Rd. at the second light past the bypass. Take thefirst left
and bear to the far left onto Bland Ave. Entrance to theparking
area of the GSU Botanical Garden will be just to the left at 1505Bland
Ave through the gates.
Fall 2001 Public Evenings and SAC meetings
following presentations at the Georgia Southern University Planetarium:
Friday, September 21, 2001 7:30 pm Welcome to Outer Space - Becky Lowder
Saturday, Sept 29, 2001 7:00 pm What Happened to the Dinosaurs - Dr. Ben Zellner and Dr. Jonathan Geisler
Friday, October 26, 2001 7:30 pm Exploration of Mars - Dr. Ben Zellner
Friday, November 16, 2001 7:30 pm The Secret Lives of Galaxies - Dr. Clayton Heller
Friday, December 7,
2001 7:30
pm The Christmas Sky
2000 Events:
Thursday, January 20, 2000 - 9:30pm - Midnight
TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE GSU Planetarium
The Georgia Southern University Planetarium will have free public
viewing of the total lunar eclipse, WEATHER PERMITTING.
Telescopes will besetup on the roof of the Math/Physics/Psychology
Building forviewing theMoonas the shadow of the Earth passes over the
lunar landscape, turning itred.
The Math/Physics/Psychology
Bldg is located on Georgia Ave off Herty Dr. on the GSU campus.
(seemap below)
For more information, call the Department of Physics at 681-5292.
Saturday, February 12, 2000 - 7-8pm THE
GALILEO MISSION TO JUPITER CONTINUES!
GSU Planetarium Public Evening
Join JPL Solar System Ambassador, Becky Lowder, as she exploresthe
incredible discoveries and images of Jupiter and its moons, made bythe
Galileo spacecraft over the past 10 years. Learn also about
futureplans for Galileo into 2000! Free JPL postcards of the
spectacularimages taken by the Galileo spacecraft will be given away to
the public,along with astronomy activities. Star show of the
current night skywill follow and if
clear, telescopic observing of the night sky with Jupiterand Saturn.
The Statesboro Astronomy Club will meet following the
presentationand observing in the planetarium.
Saturday, March 11, 2000 - 7:00 pmSTAR
LIGHT - STAR BRIGHT! GSU Botanical Garden Workshop
The Statesboro Astronomy Club will share their telescopes with
thepublic and families at the Georgia Southern University
BotanicalGarden, off Hwy 67. Everyone will make their own
starfinders, andclub members will assist beginner stargazers with
finding the wonders ofthe night sky, including telescopic views of the
Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn! Call the
Botanical Gardens to register for this free event at (912) 871-1114.
Families are invited to bring their binoculars, and perhaps thatnew
telescope they got for Christmas they are still trying to figure outhow
to use, and members can assist in showing how to operate.
Directions: GSU
Botanical Garden webpage at - http://www2.gasou.edu/garden/)
Coming into Statesboro from Savannah on Hwy 67 going north, turnLEFT
onto West Gentilly Rd. at the first light past the bypass. Take
thefirst leftand bear to the far left onto Bland Ave. Entrance to
theparking areaofthe GSU Botanical Garden will be just to the left at
1505Bland Ave. throughthe gates. Walk up to the cottage building
wherewe will all meet tostart the workshop.
(SAC members will need to arrive around
6:30pmto set up scopes. If you can assist with this fun event,
please e-mail Becky Lowder at: BLowder@yahoo.com ,
thanks!)
Saturday, March 25, 2000 - 5:00 -6pm THE
EXPLORERS GSU Planetarium Public
Evening
The GSU Planetarium will present, THEEXPLORERS,
from the Bishop Museum of Hawaii and NASA.
Join us for this exciting interactive planetarium show, and learn
how the early explorers navigated the oceans by only using the
stars!Thejouney continues into the future with space exploration, as we
learnthat"we areALL explorers!" A star show of the current night
skywill follow.
The Statesboro Astronomy Club will meet following the
presentationin the planetarium, with observing at a dark site
afterwards, if clear,after dinner.
Hope you can join us!
Saturday, April 15, 2000 - 1-6pm ASTRONOMY
AND SPACE DAY AT THE GSU PLANETARIUM!
Join members of the Statesboro Astronomy Club, and astronomers
fromGSU for an exciting day at the GSU planetarium celebrating
astronomy andspace! Lots of hands-on activities for kids of all
ages!
We will have REAL MOON ROCKS on display from NASA, as wellas
real meteorites. You can even learn what a tektiteis,
andexamine one in your hand! Lots of free astronomy and
spacehandoutsand activities for families.
NASA, JPL, and Stargazer videos showing all afternoonin
the planetarium.
Schedule:
2pm - Star show of the current night sky! (20 min)
3pm - ASK AN ASTRONOMER! Dr. Ben Zellner and Dr.
GrantDenn will be on hand to discuss and answer any questions you
mayhave about the universe, the Hubble Space Telescope, and radio
telescopes!
4pm - Star show of the current night sky! (20 min.)
5pm - QUASARS! presented by Dr. Grant Denn
If you have a telescope and you are not sure how to use, bring itby
and we will assist you so you can enjoy the night sky from your
backyard. We will have several different types of telescopes
on display.
Find out when the International Space Station will pass
overyour backyard, and learn what it and other satellites look like and
howto find them!
If clear, we will also have a telescope set up outside safelyobserving the Sun and any sunspots visible that day along with somesunspot activities!
Saturday, July 8, 2000 - 8:30pm STARLIGHT
- STAR BRIGHT! GSU Botaniical Garden Workshop
The Statesboro Astronomy Club will share their telescopes with
thepublic and families at the Georgia Southern University
BotanicalGarden, off Hwy 67. Club members will assist beginner
stargazerswith finding the wonders of the night sky, including
telescopic views ofthe Moon.
Friday, August 11 - 7:30pm GSU Planetarium Public Evening
-SAVING THE NIGHT - written and narratedd by David Levy, will be
presentedby Becky Lowder. Join us for an evening under the stars
to see how better outdoor lighting can reduce crime and allow you to
enjoy the starsas they should be seen.
Star show of the current night sky, talk about the Perseid
MeteorShower that night/early Sat morning, update on current space
missions,and if clear, telescopic observing of the Moon and stars! The
StatesboroAstronomy Club will meet after event.
Friday, October 6, 2000 7:30pmGSU
Planetarium Public Evening - HUBBLE SPACE
TELESCOPE: A DECADE OF DISCOVERIES!
Join Dr. Ben Zellner, Physics Professor and Astronomer, ashe
shows us the incredible discoveries and images made by the HST overthe
last 10years.
Star show of the current night sky, and updates on space
explorationof our solar system!
Telescopic observing, if clear, after the presentation.
The Statesboro Astronomy Club will meet following the
presentation/observing. (*see
directions below)
Friday, November 3, 2000 7:30
pm GSU Planetarium Public Evening -
STRUCTUREOF THE UNIVERSE
Dr. Clayton Heller, Physics Professor and Astronomer, will
explorethefascinating structure of the universe.
Star show of the current night sky, and updates on space
explorationof our solar system!
Telescopic observing, if clear, after the presentation.
The Statesboro Astronomy Club will meet following the
presentation/observing. (*see directions
below)
Saturday, November 4, 2000 11am
- noon &nbssp; Statesboro Regional
Library - EXPLORATION OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM!
Join JPL Solar System Ambassador and GSU Planetarium Assistant,
Becky Lowder, as we take a journey into our solar system and find out
allaboutthe current and upcoming missions in space! Enjoy the
librarydisplaycase filled with information, photos, and even some
models of thespacecraftsexploring our solar system. Free JPL
postcards and astronomy/spacehandoutswill be given away.
If clear, we will SAFELY view the Sun, and any sunspots
visible,usingprotective and safe filters.
The Statesboro Regional Library is located at 124 S. Main St,
acrossfrom Pizza Hut.
For more information, please call (912) 764-1341.
Saturday, December 2, 2000 7:30
pm GSU Planetarium Public Evening
- GIFTS FROM THE CHRISTMAS SKY!>
Join us for a holiday celebration as we
showyouthe beautiful constellations, planets, stars,
meteors,and othersky objects you can see during the holiday
season! We will showyou how to safely view the partial solar eclipse
taking placeon ChristmasDay!
Star show of the current night sky, and
updateson space exploration of our solar system!
Telescopic observing of the Moon, Jupiterand
Saturn, if clear, after the presentation. ( *seedirections below)
The Statesboro Astronomy Club will meet at the planetarium for
ourannual Christmas party at 5 pm, BEFORE thepublic
presentation/observing. Please make sure you are on our e-mail
list to sign up for a dish to bring, and to get more details.
