ASTRONOMY DAY
FUN IN THE SUN AND UNDER THE STARS
The York County Astronomical Society* will offer a day long slate of activities for children and adults and a night of Public Observing at John C. Rudy County Park for Astronomy Day on Saturday, May 10, 2008.
Join York County Astronomical Society Astronomers for a fun filled day of activities in celebration of Astronomy Day 2008. Then return in the evening for a night of observing.
Mark your calendars for May 10th, Noon - 5:00PM, join YCAS astronomers at their observatory at John C. Rudy County Park for activities related to Astronomy.
Daylong activities for children include:
MAKE A LUNAR CRATER
Make your own lunar crater - using craft materials, design and name your own lunar crater.
PAINT A NEBULA
Paint your own nebula - using Hubble pictures as examples, design your own nebula.
LUNAR LANDER GAME
Land on the moon - play the old Lunar Lander PC game.
BUILD A STAR CLOCK
Build a star clock - Learn to tell what time it is by the stars.
MAKE A PLANISPHERE
Make a planisphere star chart - Learn what is what with your own sky chart Create your own constellation - connect the dots (stars) and see what patterns you see in the nighttime sky.
RADIO ASTRONOMY
Radio Astronomy - "Mysterious Sounds of the Universe" While it's true sound will not travel in a vacuum, electromagnetic energy will, and when we "tune in" the universe using specially designed radio receivers we can convert this electromagnetic energy into sounds that we can hear! Have you ever heard a pulsar or a Jovian noise storm? How about a solar flare or an eerie sound of a black hole. Even planet earth generates it's own kind sounds in the form of whistlers, tweaks and dawn chorus. Amateur radio astronomer Kerry Smith will be exploring the mysterious sounds of the universe using radio astronomy techniques. Kerry will have a small demo radio telescope to perform simple radio astronomy experiments and observations. He will also have handouts and a video to watch on how professional radio astronomers contribute to this type of astronomy.
Solar Observing
Solar Observing - safely observe the Sun through various types of telescopes.
Solar Photography - learn safe techniques for photographing the Sun.
Telescope Clinic - do you have a new telescope and want help learning how to use it? Bring it out and our experts will show you what you need to know. It is easier to learn how to use a new telescope in the daytime!
Return to Rudy Park at 8:00PM for a 3-hour observing session. See all that the May sky has to offer. Bring your own telescope or view through the Astronomical Societies telescopes.
The daytime program is a FREE program and will be offered RAIN OR SHINE.
Solar activities will only be offered if it is not cloudy. The evening observing session will only be offered if it is clear or partly cloudy. Call the YCAS Hotline at (717) 578 - 9109 or check the YCAS web site on the day of the event for the latest information.
For more information, E-mail us here: E-Mail YCAS or call (717) 578 - 9109 and leave a message.
For directions see below .
Directions
Directions for the location of John Rudy Park Observatory. Take Rt. 30 to Rt 24 exit, and go north over the hill. When you get to the bottom of the hill, turn right at the stop sign. Go over the creek, and turn left at the "S" turn----be careful, and watch for southbound speeders. Go about 1/2 mile, turn right into the park at the split rail fence. The observatory is in the field off to the left of the gravel parking lot. Look for the red light if someone is there. Click here for Map: MAP to Rudy Park Observatory York