Astronomy Day

The George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park

For a list of Astronomy Day Volunteers in PDF Format, click here.

Astronomy Day will be held Saturday, October 28, 2006 from 3 to 10:30 pm. at the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park one hour southwest of Houston, Texas. 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.

Brazos Bend State Park
Campsites, Other Facilities & Fees
Note: Information and prices are subject to change.
Please call the park or park information (1-800-792-1112) for the latest updates.

Entrance Fees
$4 per day, per person 13 and older—children 12 and under are free
$2 for seniors 65 and older (regardless of the date of their 65th birthday)
Special entrance rates for holders of:

  • Texas State Parks Pass
  • Youth Group Annual Entrance Permit
  • Texas Parklands Passport (Bluebonnet Pass)

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 - "Return to the Moon"
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
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

ETX 80

Free Meade ETX 80 Telescope
Drawing on the deck at 7:55 PM
Must be present to win
Tickets are available at the registration desk

 
Outdoor Speakers*
3:30 - 7:00 PM
(15 - 20 minutes)

Justin McCollum - 3:30 - Colors of the Fuzzy Nebulae
James Wooten - 4:00 - 2006 Transit of Mercury Across Sun
Keith Rivich - 4:30 - Space Based Telescopes
Hernan Contreras - 5:00 - The 9th Rock from the Sun
John Erickson - 5:30 - Telescopes and Associated Hardware
Dr. Aaron Clevenson - 6:00 - Shadows and Silhouettes
Don d'Entremont - 6:30 - New Understanding of the Solar System

Indoor Speakers*
4:00 - 10:00 PM
(40 minutes)
Geraldine and JC Reina will introduce
all speakers in the lecture room.

Leonard Ferguson - 4:00 -  Space Weather at George
Don Taylor  - 5:00 - Digital Photography
Dr. Reggie DuFour - 6:00 - Life Cycle of the Sun and Stars
Larry Mitchell - 7:00 - What's up Tonight & What's up with Pluto?
 Katherine Keilty - 8:00 - Neptune: The Outer Planet's 150th Anniversary
Dr. Aaron Clevenson - 9:00 - Keeping Up With Kepler

*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:
"Return to the Moon"

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!

Last updated 10/26/2006