Astronomy In The Park - 05/05/06

Kirsten, my 9 year old, is learning about constellations and astronomy in her American Heritage Girls club. As we were out on the deck looking at stars and locating constellations, she asked me when we could go look through telescopes like we have in years past. I checked the web page for the Tri-City Astronomy Club and sure enough they have started again for this year.

Each month, from March thru October, weather permitting, our club members bring their telescopes and their knowledge of telescopes and Astronomy to the Lynnwood Loop Park in Richland.

This month the club has the public star & moon viewing scheduled for Friday, May 5, 2006. The date scheduled each month is the Friday night nearest the first quarter moon so that the shadows cast on the moon’s surface will give depth to the moon’s craters and also so that the moon is not so bright as to block out observing other heavenly objects.

If the weather or clouds are bad Friday, they will set up on Saturday instead. Some telescopes may be set up prior to sunset to safely show sunspots. Club members stay until the last spectator leaves, usually around 10:00 pm.