- This event has passed.
18th Annual Camping with the Stars
The Minnesota Astronomical Society would like to invite you to attend the Annual Camping With the Stars at the Eagle Lake Observatory in Baylor Regional Park. Speakers are scheduled throughout the day and will give talks on astronomy and what there is to see. Door prize and raffle prize drawings will be held Saturday evening and include telescopes, binoculars, MAS merchandise, astronomy books and more. Weather permitting, the evening will conclude with a tour of the night sky and of course stargazing.
Additional information as well as directions can be found on the Eagle Lake Observatory web page.
Registration & Check-in
Registration
- Registration: https://mncarverctyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/search.html?module=PST
- Group Camp Setting in Ball field below the observatory (not including event admission pass)+ MAS EVENT Registration $10/night
- Daily Admissions (not camping) to MAS EVENT $12/person/day
Check-in
The campground host will be checking in any CWTS campers that arrive on Friday & Saturday. Any walk-ins will be sent to the observatory.
All CWTS guests, after checking in and getting their campsite, will pick up their CWTS packet at the observatory. Among other things, the packet will provide information on the weekend activities, event schedule, and door prize tickets for Saturday night drawing.
Walk-in fee are collected at the observatory. Included with the fee are the door prize tickets (and wrist bands). Anyone can also buy a raffle ticket, whether registered or not.
Schedule of Events (subject to change)
Friday August 1
The observatory opens and the Star Party begins at 7:00 pm. We will begin with solar viewing and other daytime objects. The star party continues past midnight.
7:00 pm: Laura Hammerbeck, NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador
Topic: It’s our solar system, let’s explore!
Summary: Take a journey through our cosmic neighborhood. From the center of the sun to Pluto, and beyond, our solar system is filled with marvels! Join NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Laura Hammerbeck on a space adventure through our corner of this amazing universe.
Bio: Laura is a motivational and inspirational speaker. With over 20 years of teaching and communication experience, she presents solid information in an enthusiastic yet relaxed manner, with an ounce of humor on the side. Laura brings focus and energy to her audience. An amateur astronomer and space junkie, she is eager to share space exploration and study, as well as all its intriguing ideas with people of all ages.
8:00 pm: Tim Carlson, NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador
Topic: Mars Ingenuity Helicopter
Summary: Join MAS member and NASA Solar System Ambassador Tim Carlson as he explores the first machine to fly on an alien world. We will look at Ingenuity from inception to its final flight on Mars.
Bio: Tim has been a space nerd all his life. For his science fair project in 4th grade he built a model of the Apollo 11 Command and Lunar modules and explained how they docked together for their trip to the Moon. He loves all things that have to do with space from Mercury to Artemis and everything in between. He looks forward to sharing his love of space exploration with everyone he can.
Saturday August 2
The observatory opens at 1:00 pm. for daytime viewing of the sun, stars & planets (if clear).
2:00 pm: Dave Falkner, NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador
Topic: Astronomy Fact or Fiction?
Summary: Today we are bombarded with amazing science and science fiction, so much so that it’s sometimes difficult to separate what’s real, and what is theory or just plain fantasy, In his presentation Dave will talk about 3 misconceptions you may have seen about the universe, space travel and alien life.
Bio: Dave has been a life-long amateur astronomer. He first became interested in astronomy as a pre-teen when his father took him to a show at the Holcolm Planetarium in Indianapolis. He became hooked and has had an interest in astronomy ever since. After retiring from the US Navy, Dave settled in Minnesota and became an active member of the Minnesota Astronomical Society (MAS). He has served as its President from 2011 – 2014 and again from 2019 – 2020 and is the current Secretary. As a member of the MAS, Dave enjoyed performing astronomical outreach, often speaking to groups at libraries, nature centers and schools.
Dave is a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador where he educates the public about space, space exploration and NASA missions. Along with his outreach activities, Dave has taught beginning Astronomy classes at a local community college and has published three books; two editions of “Mythology of the Night Sky” and the book “The Stories of Astronomers and Their Stars.”
3:30 pm: Colin Kilbane, STEAM Educator
Title: Rocket building and launching
Summary: Let’s get ready to rocket! Come take a crash course on model rocketry, pun fully intended! Learn how Newton’s laws of motion make space travel possible and help us explore our solar system. In this class you will build a simple 3D printed model rocket and learn how to safely launch it.
Please note: There is a $2.00 suggested donation per rocket or a $5 “pay it forward” suggested donation to help cover material costs. Thank you!
Bio: Colin Kilbane has been sharing his STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fun for almost 30 years now. He started making slime and setting off fire alarms with chemistry outreach at Kansas State and the University of Minnesota. A chemist and biochemist by training, he ended up moving on to share his passion for STEM and making things go boom as the Senior Mad Scientist and Operations Director for Mad Science of MN for more than a decade before he made his move to the high school classroom. He has taught chemistry, physical science, robotics, makerspace and physics for the last ten years and does STEM on the side. This year, he started up Gopher STEAM. Gopher STEAM can add some STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, ART! and math) to any event for any age, preschool on up. Gopher STEAM offers fantastically fun interactive shows, activity tables, birthday parties, scouting programs, classes and now summer camps. Check out more at Gophersteam.com
5:30 pm: Dinner break.
7:00 pm: John Fisher, MAS Member
Title: What Are Stars Made Of?
Summary: What messages are hidden in the light of celestial objects? Join John in the classroom for a hands-on demonstration to learn about the different elements that make up stars and see how astronomers measure temperature. Featuring video contributions of Cecilia Payne. Afterwards, stick around to look at hydrogen and helium spectra.
Bio: John has been a member of MAS for 8 years and is a keyholder at Eagle Lake Observatory. He has had a lifelong interest in physics and mathematics and currently is focused on astronomical spectroscopy and spectropolarimetry. John enjoys doing outreach events and is always looking for new ways to engage newcomers to this great hobby.
8:00 pm: Door prize drawing. MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
9:30 pm: Brad Nasset, NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador – Laser light constellation tour
Bio: Brad Nasset is a Solar System Ambassador with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He enjoys sharing his knowledge about the night sky and has presented astronomy and space exploration topics to thousands of people in public and private groups, at National Park System night sky events, and high school and university astronomy classes. He is also an observatory operator with the Minnesota Astronomical Society.
Sunday August 3
The observatory opens at 8:00 am. for solar viewing and other daytime objects (if clear).
8:00am – Breakfast in the HotSpot Classroom
Come join us for breakfast, which includes eggs, toast, donuts, fruit, juice, coffee, and more. The day will include solar viewing from the observatory.
2:00pm Activities conclude
