We know what the night sky looked like yesterday, two weeks ago and on the day Galileo was born. Software on our computers can tell us what the sky will look like on February 12th, 2035. But what would the dinosaurs have seen if they looked up 100 million years ago? Can we even know? We’ll take a look at how the heavens change over time…real time.
And a reminder to SAVE THE DATE, SATURDAY, MAY 4TH, for ASTRONOMY DAY! Our theme is “The Science of Star Wars”. This will be held at Trailside Nature & Science Center in the afternoon and will continue at Sperry Observatory in the evening. This event is being presented by 2 astronomy clubs – Amateur Astronomers, Inc. and the North Jersey Astronomical Group.
The event will be from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Trailside Nature & Science Center located at 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ, 07092. In the evening it will be held at Sperry Observatory from 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm. The event is free, is open to the public and there’s free parking at both locations.
At Trailside there will be several activities. These include robotics demonstrations, many children’s activities that include planets and space things like Star Wars and making Ewoks, reading sessions for young children on astronomy related topics, and short presentations on Exoplanets, NASA robots, and the science of Star Wars. In addition there will be science demonstrations on light spectrum, a gravity well and the search for cosmic rays. Also included will be presentations and displays of meteorites and geology. And weather permitting, there will be safe solar observing and a solar system walk. This event is for all ages.
At Sperry Observatory in the evening there will be a presentation on the OSIRIS-REx Mission which brought back pieces of asteroid Bennu. And we will have observing through our 2 large telescopes, weather permitting and door prizes. And members of AAI and NJAG may bring their telescopes to set up outside for observing with he public. Sperry Observatory will be open whether conditions are good for observing or not. This event is for all ages.