Author Archives: David Warner

What to see April 2016

Each Month we give a “What’s Up in the Night Sky” presentation at our monthly meeting. I’ll try to also start a monthly posting of this presentation for those that are unable to attend our meeting. Hope this works! Dave Warner

This Month: The Lyrids Meteor Shower is coming up this month with a radiant near the star Vega. A series of double moon transits of the planet Jupiter ends this month with two more that will be visible in our local night skies. We’re moving into “galaxy” season with many great galaxies and globular clusters that will be high in the night sky this month. I’ve included a couple of messier finder charts to find a couple of my favorites that are at optimum viewing this month. And finally, the Astronomical League has started a new Mercury Transit Observing Challenge where I list the requirements. Go to the AL web site for specifics to complete this challenge. The Mercury transit is May 09 and the next one won’t be until 2019 so get in on the action, get ready to see this transit and do some science!

Whats-Up-APR-2016-1

March 04, 2016 Dark Skies Observing Event at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Colorado Springs Astronomical Society members will be at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument visitors center on March 4th with our telescopes for viewing of the stars. The evening events start at 6:30 PM. Admission for the program is the regular park entrance fee, which is $5 per adult (16 years and older);children and federal pass holders are free and provides 7 days of access to the park if y0u’d like to come back and explore over the weekend.  The dark skies are worth the trip.

Florissant Fossil Beds is an excellent place to learn about and enjoy the wonders of the night sky.  Located 1 hour from Colorado Springs, Florissant Fossil Beds is easily accessible yet far enough away from light pollution to provide for dark skies to observe things we can’t see here in Colorado Springs even through our big telescopes. From the park, it is possible to see the Milky Way, other galaxies, star clusters, nebula, comets (when they are around) and much more. The night sky programs begin with a 30 minute interpretive program inside the visitor center. The program is followed by 90 minutes of sky watching. No reservations are necessary. Space is limited inside the theater where the presentation is given.

It is March and the weather is unpredictable so be prepared!

Find out more:

http://www.nps.gov/flfo/learn/news/night-sky-program-march-4.htm

February 13th Florissant Fossil Beds Dark Sky Party

Colorado Springs Astronomical Society members will be at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument visitors center on February 13 with our telescopes for public viewing of the stars. The evening events start at 6:30 PM.

Florissant Fossil Beds is an excellent place to learn about and enjoy the wonders of the night sky.  Located 1 hour from Colorado Springs, Florissant Fossil Beds is easily accessible yet far enough away from light pollution to provide for dark skies to observe. From the park, it is possible to see the Milky Way, other galaxies, star clusters, nebula, comets (when they are around) and much more. The night sky programs begin with a 30 minute interpretive program inside the visitor center. The program is followed by 90 minutes of sky watching. No reservations are necessary. Space is limited inside the theater where the presentation is given.

It is February so dress warm!

Find out more:

http://www.nps.gov/flfo/night-sky-programs.htm

March 14 Star Gazing event open to the public

Copyright the photographer
Copyright the photographer

It’s star gazing time! Join us on Saturday, March 14, from 7:30-9:30 at the Florissant Fossil Beds Visitor Center. The night sky program begins with a 30 minute interpretive program inside the visitor center followed by 90 minutes of sky watching. Saturday’s topic is “Measuring the Dark”. Continue reading “March 14 Star Gazing event open to the public”

Valentine’s Under the Stars at Florissant Fossil Beds February 14

Colorado Springs Astronomical Society members will be at the Florissant Fossil Beds N.M. on February 14 with our telescopes for public viewing of the stars.

Florissant Fossil Beds is an excellent place to learn about and enjoy the wonders of the night sky.  Located 1 hour from Colorado Springs, Florissant Fossil Beds is easily accessible yet far enough away
from light pollution to provide for dark skies to observe. From the park, it is possible to see the Milky Way, other galaxies, star clusters, nebulas, comets (when they are around) and much more. The night sky programs begin with a 30 minute interpretive program inside the visitor center. The program is followed by 90 minutes of sky watching. No reservations are necessary. Space
is limited inside the theater where the presentation is given.Continue reading “Valentine’s Under the Stars at Florissant Fossil Beds February 14”

Comet Lovejoy and the Florissant Fossil Beds Night Sky program with CSAS

Comet Lovejoy has just made its closest approach to Earth and is now making its way back out of the solar system. People in the Northern Hemisphere like us here in Southern Colorado still have a chance to see it at its brightest as its journey takes it past Pleiades and high into the night sky. This will be one of our target objects at our upcoming star party 6-8 PM on Saturday, January 17 at the Florrisant Fossil Beds National Monument Visitors Center.

http://www.nps.gov/flfo/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?eventID=821446-452862Continue reading “Comet Lovejoy and the Florissant Fossil Beds Night Sky program with CSAS”