From the Programs Committee Chair...

Come explore the night sky!

TimBurns

• Details
• Category: Programs Committee
• Created on Thursday, 06 May 2010 09:29

Spring, Summer and Fall are typically the best observing times here in northern Nevada.  However, as you can see by the list of events to the left, we have events planned all the time.  Check out our calendar to see all of the events planned for this year.

We have events planned for all members of the community:

·         Public Star Parties. In addition to our regular telescope viewing at Rancho San Rafael Park on the first Friday of every month (weather permitting), we are asked by many park rangers to host activities during the summer months.  During these events we pull our telescopes out and view many of the brightest and most fascinating objects in the sky.

·         ‘Members Only Star Parties'.  Typically held at ‘Trapshoot’ and Wilson Commons Park.  Despite the name, these events are open to the public as well, but the focus is different.  Instead of looking at the same objects that we tend to look at public star parties, these events allow members to search for more obscure objects, play with a new piece of equipment and/or generally test their observing prowess.  In other words, we get to do what we want to do.    This might also be a good opportunity for a member of the public to get some training on how to use a telescope of their own.  However, be sure to contact us in advance if you wish to get some telescope training; we want to make sure someone will be available to help on the particular evening you wish to attend.

·         School Star Parties.  As the name implies, we tend to give star parties at local schools during the spring and fall.  This is a great way to encourage future generations to appreciate science and the night sky.

·         Messier Marathons.  We typically hold a Messier Marathon in the spring and fall.  These are all-nighters where you try to observe as many of the 110 Messier objects as possible in a single evening.  This tends to be a true ‘members only’ star party because we hold the event at a member’s house; of course you are welcome if you have bee invited by a member.

·         ‘Members Meetings’.  Held the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm at the KNPB Channel 5 Studies at UNR, this is another event that is open to the public (the ‘Member’ in the name is simply used to distinguish from our business meetings).  At these meetings either a guest speaker or a member of the society will give a presentation on a topic of astronomical interest.   This is a great opportunity to come and talk with other members of the club and actually see what they look like! (Because you're not standing in the dark… )

·         Book Club Meetings. Every so often we will pick a book of interest and meet to discuss it.  If you are interested in participating, let us know!

·         Holiday Party.  Every year members get together to celebrate the holidays.  Another great opportunity to socialize with members of the group.

So as you can see, we are a pretty active group. If you are not a member yet, please come to one of our events to check us out.  Or you can join now!  If you are a current member and have not been to an event in awhile, we would love to see you again.  Let us help you explore the night sky!