Fall Star Party

STELLA'S Dark-Sky FALL STAR PARTY Is cancelled, library programs are still on!

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS:

Boone County Pub. Library
Central Arkansas Astronomical Society
Newton County Pub. Library
North Central Arkansas Astronomical Society
Northwest Arkansas Space
Sugar Creek Astronomical Society

Schedule of Event, October 19th:

Boone County Library

1:00 – An introduction to observing the night sky (Darrell Heath).
1:40 – Half of nature is at night, how and why we must protect the night sky (Bruce McMath).
2:00 – Break and time to visit.
2:15 – What is up tonight, a preview of the Star Party objects (Robert Togni).
2:45 – Whispering Pines Observatory, its programs and facilities (Tut Campbell).

Newton County Library

3:00 – An introduction to observing the night sky (Darrell Heath).
3:40 – Half of Nature is at Night, how and why we must protect the night sky (Bruce McMath).
4:00 – Break and time to visit.
4:15 – What is up tonight, a preview of the Star Party objects (Robert Togni).
4:45 – Whispering Pines Observatory, its programs and facilities (Tut Campbell).

Directions: Proceed 4 miles west on Hyw. 74 out of Jasper (1 mile east of Mt. Sherman). As you approach the turn off, shown below heading west, you will enter a long sweeping turn to the left which will then transition back to the right. The turn off is on the left as the road starts turning back to the right. A white drive with white borders on either side. Proceed south on the drive to parking.

THE STAR PARTY - Cancelled due to clouds. Maybe next year. Sorry.

About the Star Party:

The elk will be bugling in the Buffalo River Valley. Come listen for the elk, attend programs at one of the libraries, visit the quaint picturesque town of Jasper and then lay under the stars in the natural sky of the Boston Mountains. The Star Party will feature a last glimpse of the Summer Milky Way, a naked eye tour of the Fall constellations, narrated with their associated mythology, and telescopic views of Saturn and the available deep-sky objects to include exploded stars, open clusters and distant galaxies. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Note!

To avoid interference from vehicle lights, arrival time may be limited to between 7:00 and 7:30! We will see.
Do not wear clothes or shoes that have lights. Dress warmer than you think you need to. If it is cool, dress for cold, if cold, dress for frigid. Sleeping bags, blankets, lounge chairs, hot beverages, and snacks are good as well. Binoculars might be used as well.
Any flashlights should be red or amber. Please do not use cell phones as lights or use flash photography. Small keychain lights will be available for $1 deposit (if returned) or you can keep it.
For a place to stay check out Stella's Natural Sky Places Host map, such as the Arkansas Grand Canyon Cabins.

About the Presenters:

Darrell Heath is a volunteer with the NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Solar System Ambassador Program, is a past president of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society (CAAS), for which he is now the Outreach Coordinator. He is the producer and host for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Television's video program, The Night Sky. You can see his videos and read his blog, which has monthly articles on things you can see with a small telescope or binoculars, at The Night Sky website: https://ualr.edu/tv/night-sky/

Bruce McMath is also a past president of the CAAS, and member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers, where he serves as a member of the Photometric Validation Team. He currently is Chair of the Arkansas Natural Sky Association an affiliate of the International Dark Sky Association, and host of this event.

Rocky Togni is an Astronomical League Master Observer, having completed twenty two AL observing programs. He created the League’s Variable Star and Binocular Variable Star Programs and is the coordinator for those and the Carbon Star observing program. He chair’s the Library Telescope program for CAAS and is the author of Learning the Constellations, a beginner’s guide to learning the night sky published by the Arkansas Natural Sky Association.

Tut Campbell holds a degree in science education from Arkansas Technical University. He is the owner of the Whispering Pines Observatory (WPO) South of Harrison Arkansas, home to the largest collection of permanently mounted telescopes in the state as well as the largest single instrument in the state. He is an active observer of variable stars, often in collaboration with professional astronomers, and frequently hosts area high school and university student groups at WPO.