Telescope Reviews: Astronomy Day-- September 6th, TAS

On September 6th, the Texas Astronomical Society will celebrate Astronomy Day at the Russell Planetarium in Mesquite, Texas. This is a wonderful modern planetarium owned by the Mesquite School District, and located directly across the street from West Mesquite High School.

Astronomy Day begins at 2pm and runs through 10pm, with many activities planned during the day. These include a meteorite display, mirror grinding and displays of our member's hand-made telescopes, and practical lectures about Astronomy as a hobby.This year's theme is "BIG UNIVERSE"-- and it is almost beyond belief just how large it is! The Russell planetarium will have three FREE shows during the afternoon and evening-- see the outline below for planetarium and lecture times.

Lecture Hall & Planetarium
2pm-3pm Planetarium Presentation
3pm-4pm Telescopes “The Basics” lecture

4pm-5pm "Big Universe" — (Astronomy Day Theme Lecture)

5pm- 6pm Stellar and Non-Stellar Objects
6pm- 7pm Planetarium Presentation
7pm- 8pm Astro-Photography lecture
8pm- 9pm Planetarium Presentation

Outside Activities
2pm until Sunset Solar Observing using special filters and solar telescopes

3pm- 4pm Build a Solar System to Scale- outside lecture(Big Universe theme)
Sunset- 10pm Star Party and Outside Astro-Photography----LIVE astro-imaging demonstration!

10:30pm It’s Over!

Other Activities

Telescope making and mirror grinding

Meteorite display

Light Pollution Display

Displays of our member's hand-made telescopes

The Planetarium is very easy to find. Go South on I635 to the Scyene Road exit-- go right on Scyene road and head toward the LARGE radio antenna. The high school and planetarium are located next to the antenna and the stadium, just off of Scyene Road. The antenna is owned & operated by the Mesquite ISD and transmits FM 88.5.

The all day event is free and open to the general public. Along with the lectures the planetarium will have three free shows during the afternoon and early evening. During the day we will be viewing the sun outside using filters and solar telescopes. After dark we will switch to regular star gazing using our member's telescopes. FUN for the entire family including grandpa and grandma! Visit the Texas Astronomical Society web site at www.texasastro.org to learn about the club's activities; and check the Calendar for other free public observing events sponsored by the club's members.

Membership is available ON-LINE on the web site using PayPal-- and is open to anyone interested in learning about the night sky and Astronomy. Plan to attend Astronomy Day, on Saturday, September 6th, at the Russell Planetarium, in Mesquite, Texas. Astronomy! -- the greatest show on earth, right over your head every night!

Clear Skies!

Joe Lalumia

Public Observing Coordinator

Texas Astronomical Society (serving the Dallas area for over 50 years!)

www.texasastro.org TAS Web Site

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LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s.
"The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax." - Albert Einstein