SPECIAL EVENTS

Make plans to attend Astronomy Day 2009  at the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park, Saturday, October 24.  Free with park admission.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science’s George Observatory opened on Columbus Day, 1989. And like Columbus exploring the new world, the Observatory has been exploring the worlds of the universe for 20 years, through the big eye of the 3-foot-diameter telescope with over half a million people. At Astronomy Day 2009, HMNS will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the George Observatory, as well as several other significant anniversaries.

Astronomy Day 2009 Celebrates:

* 400th Year of Telescope, 1609
* 100th Year of HMNS, 1909
* 40th Anniversary of first manned lunar landing by Apollo 11, 1969
* 40th Birthday 36" Gueymard Telescope, 1969
* 20th Anniversary of George Observatory, 1989

Astronomy Day 2009 at the George Observatory is organized by local astronomy clubs and HMNS. There will be indoor presentations every hour beginning at 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. with coordinated outdoor presentations. Before dark, there will be many telescopes set up to show our own star – the Sun – with its solar prominences and dark sun spots…so you can enjoy this event starting in the afternoon and stay to enjoy the nighttime viewing.

The George Observatory is home to three large telescopes, including a multi-million dollar, 36-inch diameter telescope used regularly for scientific research. A limited number of tickets for viewing through the large telescope will be available on a first-come-first-served basis beginning at 3 p.m. Viewing through the 8” and 14” telescopes will also available.

There is a $5 per person activity fee to enter Brazos Bend State Park. The fee is $3 for seniors 65+. Texas residents born before 1930 and children 12 and under are free. Please note that entrance into the park is not permitted after 10 p.m. For more information about this annual Astronomy Day, please visit www.astronomyday.org.

Outdoor Speakers:
4:00 - 7:00 PM
(15 - 20 minutes)

4:00 - David Haviland, Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society
Topic - "How to Buy a Telescope"

4:30 - James Wooten, Houston Museum of Natural Science
Topic - "What Galileo Saw: Three Observations that Changed Astronomy"

5:00 - Billie Harland, Astronomical Society of South East Texas
Topic - "Star Lore"

5:30 - Hernan Contreras, Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society
Topic - "TBA"

6:00 - John Erickson, Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society
Topic - "TBA"

6:30 - Bill Pellerin, Houston Astronomical Society
Topic - "Epsilon Aurigae - Mystery and Opportunity"

Indoor Speakers:
4:00 - 10:00 PM
(50 minutes)

4:00 - Justin McCollum, Fort Bend Astronomy Club
Topic - "Galilean Moons"

5:00 - Aaron Clevenson, North Houston Astronomy Club
Topic - "Gazing with Galileo - 400 years"

6:00 - Dr. Brent Archinal, U.S. Geological Survey - Bio Information
Topic - "The New Reconnaissance of the Moon"

7:00 - Larry Mitchell, Houston Astronomical Society, noted amateur astronomer
Topic - "The Milky Way Galaxy"

8:00 - Barbara Wilson, Director - George Observatory HMNS
Topic - "New Solar System"

9:00 - Leonard Ferguson, Fort Bend Astronomy Club
Topic - "The Sun and it's Spots"

Day Events:

Come out and enjoy...

Houston Community College Astronomy Display
Indoor and Outdoor Presentations starting at 4:00 PM
Challenger Center Flight Simulations - "Return to the Moon"
Observe Sunspots and Solar Prominences
Dozens of Amateur Telescopes to View the Skies
Learn how to Get Started in Astronomy and how to Use and Purchase Telescopes
Astronomy Buttons and Face Painting
Free Material and Astronomy Handouts
Meet the Local Astronomy Clubs
Indoor Displays, CCD Imaging, Interactive computers, Meteorites
The George Observatory Gift Shop will be open for the entire event!

Night Events:

Viewing begins at dusk

Laser Constellation Tours - 7:30 till 10:00
Professional Research Telescope Viewing (36", 18", 14" and 11")
Dozens of Amateur Telescopes to View the Skies
Observe the Moon and Deep Sky Objects

Times and speakers are subject to change.

For more information about the Brazos Bend State Park, or to find out about camping, call toll free: (800)792-1112, or Austin: (512)389-4800.