Next event: April 5th, from 8:00-10:00 pm
All are invited to the Reedy Creek Observatory for an evening of stargazing, constellation finding, telescope viewing of deep sky objects, and refreshments. The evening will get underway around 8:00 pm, which is shortly after sunset.
Most of the astronomical action happens early this time around. After sunset Jupiter, Orion (both the constellation and its nebula), and the Pleiades will be visible. Depending on the weather conditions, we may even be able to see the two primary stars of Gamma Andromedae. Later in the evening the red giant Arcturus will be rising over the treetops. Throughout the night we'll be able to see various star clusters, binary star systems and maybe even a few deeper sky objects! Constellations and features of the night sky will also be pointed out. We encourage school-aged children and families to attend. Astronomy experts from the physics department will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the night sky, stars, planets, galaxies, or anything else you can think of that is astronomy related! Volunteers for the event will be wearing lighted glow-sticks around their necks, so look for one of these people.
Inside the classroom building, we will have physics and astronomy demonstrations, as well as refreshments and chairs for a break from the viewing. Stop by inside when you arrive to have a cookie or watch a demonstration about starlight or cosmic rays.
It is not necessary to be "on time" for this event, as there is no scheduled presentation. Viewing will last until at least 9:30 pm, and perhaps later depending on the traffic of visitors. You may arrive and leave any time between 8:00 and 10:00, whenever your schedule permits.
RSVP is not necessary to attend, but would be helpful in giving us a general idea of how many people to expect. You may RSVP to Don Warren, via .
Please do NOT bring pets to the event. You may bring a flashlight to help you see as you walk from the parking area to the lab site, but flashlights will not be permitted in or near the viewing area. Your eyes will quickly adjust to the dark, and you'll be amazed what you can see, even when it is "dark" out.
If you wish to bring your own telescope and viewing equipment, we can accommodate a limited number of these requests. If this is the case, please let us know beforehand, and we will make arrangements.
Our lab site is equipped with approximately a dozen 8-inch telescopes, as well as a dozen or so pairs of binoculars.
MAPS to the facilities can be found here.