Onan Observatory

Astronomy Day 2006

May 5th and 6th

The Minnesota Astronomical Society invites you to our 'Astronomy Day' celebration May 5th and 6th. Bring your family, your youth group or just yourself for fun-filled and educational activities appropriate for all ages. All events take place at our Onan Observatory, located in western Carver County’s Baylor Regional Park just north of Norwood-Young America.

Events and Activities

Evening star parties: Explore your universe. Telescopes will be available for public viewing both Friday and Saturday evenings.
Daytime solar observing: Marvel at our star’s ever-changing surface. Safely view sunspots, giant loops of gas, solar flares and more!
PlanetQuest: Learn about the search for planets around other stars and how astronomers have already confirmed over 100 such worlds.
Seminars: Hear talks about exciting astronomical topics -- celestial pictures with your digital camera, buying your first telescope, and more.
Demonstrations: Learn how anyone can build a telescope optically accurate to 1/1,000,000 inch.

Schedule

The Friday night star party begins at 6:00 p.m. with solar observing and continues at least until 10:00 p.m. Astronomy exhibits and demonstrations take place continuously throughout the evening until 9:00 p.m.

Saturday events and activities begin at noon. Solar observing takes place all afternoon. Seminars occur throughout the day, ending at 6:00 p.m. Astronomy exhibits and demonstrations take place continuously until 9:00 p.m. The Saturday night star party will begin at dusk.

NOTE: While telescope viewing is dependent on weather conditions, all other events and activities take place both days 'fair or foul weather'. For more information send email to OnanInfo@MnAstro.org, or leave your request on our voicemail service (952.467.2426).

What is Astronomy Day?

From the Astronomical League's web site:

"Astronomy Day is a grass roots movement to share the joy of astronomy with the general population - "Bringing Astronomy to the People." On Astronomy Day, thousands of people who have never looked through a telescope will have an opportunity to see first hand what has so many amateur and professional astronomers all excited. Astronomy clubs, science museums, observatories, universities, planetariums, laboratories, libraries, and nature centers host special events and activities to acquaint their population with local astronomical resources and facilities. It is an astronomical PR event that helps highlight ways the general public can get involved with astronomy - or at least get some of their questions about astronomy answered."

For more information, visit the Astronomical League's Astronomy Day page at: http://www.astroleague.org/al/astroday/astroday.html