ELO Public Star Party – Featured Speaker: Ron Schmit

7:00 PM Featured Speaker: Ron Schmit, MAS Member and NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador

Topic:  Amazin’ Stargazin’: A Beginner’s Guide to Exploring the Night Sky

Summary: Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what you were seeing—or how to find it again? Come join us in the Hot Spot Classroom for a beginner-friendly presentation designed to help anyone explore the cosmos. You’ll learn how to navigate the night sky, identify constellations, track the Moon and planets, and understand seasonal changes in the sky. Learn about objects like star clusters , double stars, nebula, and galaxies. We’ll also cover practical tools and techniques that make stargazing accessible from your own backyard. Learn how to use star charts and mobile apps like Stellarium. We’ll introduce you to sites in the sky like meteor showers, planetary alignments, eclipses, and other celestial events you can observe. Let’s explore the amazing night sky!

During a Public Star Party, we use our array of telescope platforms to show you the wonders of the night sky. Our primary goal during a star party is to view stars, star clusters, galaxies, nebula, planets and maybe a comet or two, all observable through our telescopes. There may also be a presentation or Q&A session at a public event. Public star parties typically run from 7:00-10:00 pm, although we tend to stay later during the summer months as the summer sunset is later. Note that the Park is open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. The main gate to the park entrance automatically closes at 10:00 pm, so please plan to arrive before then.

Public Star Parties are typically all-weather events. Even if it’s cloudy someone will open the observatory for a tour, give a presentation or answer any astronomy questions you may have. If this is your first star party, or it’s been a while since you’ve been to one, please review the Public Star Party Guidelines.

Annually, we also host all day events for the Spring and Fall Astronomy Day and the annual Camping with the Stars event.  Additionally, we may schedule special events throughout the year for a unique astronomical happenings such as an eclipses, planetary oppositions, conjunctions or comets.

*Other than our Camping with the Stars (CWTS) event, registration is not required to attend an event. CWTS is also the only event there is a fee to attend, as it is coordinated through the Baylor Park offices. Call the Baylor Park Office at 952-466-5255 for CWTS registration and camping information.

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

Eagle Lake Observatory         onaninfo@mnastro.org