Stargazing

The Eta Aquarids is an above average shower capable of producing up to 40 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust particles left behind by the comet Halley, which has been known and observed since ancient times. The shower runs annually from April 19th to May 28th, peaking the night of May 6th. The meteors appear to originate from Eta Aquarii, one of the brighter stars in the constellation Aquarius.

During the indoor portion of our program from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m., we will learn the constellations and answer questions about the galaxy. If the weather is clear, from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. we will spend some time outside viewing the cosmos through "time machines" (telescopes) provided by Westminster Astronomical Society (WASI). Feel free to bring your own telescope! We will assist with setup and focusing as needed. Wear sturdy shoes as some night hiking is required to get to the viewing field. This program is eligible for the Model B Junior Ranger Program.