2023 Spring Astronomy Day at Eagle Lake Observatory

Saturday April 29, 2023

The Minnesota Astronomical Society would like to invite you to attend the Astronomical League’s Astronomy Day activities 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 drawing will be held Saturday evening and include MAS merchandise, astronomy books and telescopes. The evening will continue with viewing through our array of telescopes observing some of the winter and early spring objects coming into view including the Orion Nebula, Crab nebula, the Sombrero Galaxy, the Whirlpool Galaxy, the Beehive Cluster, the Black Eye Galaxy and Hercules cluster among many others.

 Schedule of Events

 The observatory opens and the Star Party begins at 1:00 pm. We will begin with solar viewing and other daytime objects.

 3:00pm –  Laura Hammerbeck – It’s our solar system, let’s explore! 

4:00pm –  Colin Kilbane – Crazy Colin’s Air Show

5:30pm – Break

7:00 pm – Dave Falkner – Big Astronomy – My Visit to the Major US Observatories in Chile

8:30pm – Door Prize Drawing (Must be present to win)

9:30pm – Laser Tour of the sky (Weather Permitting)

Speaker Details

Speaker: Laura Hammerbeck – NASA Solar System Ambassador

Topic: It’s our solar system, let’s explore! 

Take a journey through our galactic neighborhood.  From the center of our sun to Pluto, and beyond, our solar system is filled with wonder! The speaker will take you on a space adventure through our corner of this amazing universe.

Speaker: Colin Kilbane

Topic: Crazy Colin’s Air Show

Is it a bird?  Is it a plane?  No! It’s Crazy Colin’s Air Show.  Let’s explore the power of air all around us.  Watch cans crush themselves and feel the pressure around you as you try to pull the Magdeburg Spheres apart.  Rescue Eggbert and make vortexes fly through the air. Make balls float and even you may fly, just a smidgen high, on a hovercraft powered by a leaf blower. These demonstrations and activities will blow your mind.

Speaker: Dave Falkner – MAS Member, NASA Solar System Ambassador and Astronomy in Chile Education Ambassador

Topic: Big Astronomy – My Visit to the Major US Observatories in Chile

Chile is home to some of the most advanced telescopes in the world. The US has built three, state-of-the art observatories there. Dave was one of 10 people selected nationwide to visit these observatories as part of the ACEAP program. This presentation introduces you to these amazing observatories and some of the highlights of Dave’s 11-day expedition, including staying several days on the mountaintops.

 Event Background

​Astronomy Day is a grass roots movement designed 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 Day was born in California in 1973. Doug Berger, then president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California, decided that rather than try to entice people to travel long distances to visit observatory open houses, they would set up telescopes closer to where the people were – busy locations – urban locations like street corners, shopping malls, parks, etc.
His strategy paid off. Not only did Astronomy Day go over with a bang, not only did the public find out about the astronomy club, they found out about future observatory open houses. Since the public got a chance to look through a portable telescope, they were hooked. They wanted to see what went on at the bigger telescopes, so they turned out in droves at the next observatory open house.

For additional information, visit the Astronomical League’s website at https://www.astroleague.org/astronomyday/facts

Public star parties are open to all, but please review the Star Party Guidelines if you have not been to a public event before.

Additional information as well as directions can be found on the Eagle Lake Observatory web page.

Eagle Lake Observatory
44.8103 -93.9397

Merle Hiltner onaninfo@mnastro.org