Astronomy Day


The George Observatory at Brazos Bend State Park

Astronomy Day will be held Saturday, October 22, 2005 from 3 to 11 pm. at the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park one hour southwest of Houston, Texas. Park entrance fee is $3.00 per person in the vehicle age 13 and older. No charge for children 12 and under. $2 per day, per person for Texas residents 65 on 9/1/95 or after. For a map to Brazos Bend State Park, click here.  For more information about Astronomy Day, write to gobserve@consolidated.net. For more information about the Brazos Bend State Park, or to find out about camping, call toll free: (800)792-1112, or Austin: (512)389-4800.

George Observatory's entire "Astronomy Day" event is FREE to the public!
On any other Saturday night, the cost for viewing through the George
Observatory telescopes is $5.00 per person.

Come out and enjoy...

Indoor and Outdoor Presentations starting at 4:00 PM
Challenger Center Flight Simulations - "Rendezvous With a Comet"
Observe Sunspots and Solar Prominences
Observe the Moon and Deep Sky Objects
Professional Research Telescope Viewing (36", 18", 14" and 11")
Dozens of Amateur Telescopes to View the Skies
Face Painting
How to Get Started in Astronomy
How to Use and Purchase Telescopes
Astronomy Buttons
Free Material and Astronomy Handouts
Meet the Local Astronomy Clubs
Ham Radio Display (Talk to other countries!)
Indoor Displays (CCD Imaging, Interactive computers, Meteorites, Light Pollution)
The George Observatory Gift Shop will be open for the entire event!
Food on site will be sold by Pizza Hut

Outdoor Speakers*
(15 - 20 minutes)
 

3:30 PM Aaron Clevenson (NHAC) - "Purchasing a Telescope"
4:00 PM Henry Norton (NHAC) - "Our Galaxy, Our Universe"
4:30 PM Bill Leach (HAS) - "What is Your Astronomical Sign?"
5:00 PM James Wooten (HMNS) - "‘Mars and Venus"
5:30 PM Justin McCollum (ASSET) - "Nebulae"
6:00 PM David Haviland (JSCAS) - "Telescopes and Their Operation"
6:30 PM Katherine Keilty (Kingwood College) - "The Celestial Sphere"


Indoor Speakers*
(40 minutes)
Geraldine and JC Reina will introduce
all speakers in the lecture room.

3:30 PM Hernan Contreras (JSCAS) - "Astronomical Oddities"
4:30 PM Larry Mitchell (HAS) - "Mars: Then and Now"
5:30 PM Reggie DuFour (Rice University) - "The Life Cycle of the Sun and Stars"
6:30 PM Aaron Clevenson (NHAC) - “The Life and Times of Tycho Brahe”
7:30 PM John Erickson (JSCAS) - “Eyepieces and Telescope Power”
8:30 PM Bill leach (Kingwood College) - “Mars; The Planet”

*Times and Speakers are subject to change


Daytime Events

Indoor Activities Presentations
Solar Observing Speakers
How a Telescope works Telescope Operators
Big Dobsonians Helpful Volunteers
Face Painting Visitors Center

The Challenger Center

A Space Place for Kids
The Mission:
"Rendezvous with a Comet"

Night Time Events

36" Research Dome

Open dome     Waiting on Sunset
   

Lots of Telescopes

for night time viewing of the sky

Come and enjoy all the fun of the day time and night time activities, and learn a little something about Astronomy too!