SPOOKY SPECTRUM
Saturday 12 October, 6pm to 10pm CDT
For ages six and older. Binocular recommended.
Sunset at 6:35pm. Twilight ends 7:56pm
[Admission Fee. $0.00] [Merchandise and Wormhole items, vary.]
Patrons must follow safety guidelines. Don’t forget your costume!
Come visit on this moonlit night—if you dare—as HRPO delves into the eerie side of astronomy, physics and aeronautics. We’ll have creepy science demonstrations, some of which we’ve never used. And don’t forget the stories. Strange sky phenomena…extra dimensions… extraterrestrials. Be warned—we want to make you think. Please check schedule carefully to choose the appropriate time to arrive!
{The Spooky Spectrum is named for the spectrum of electromagnetism—one of the four fundmental forces of nature. The sections of the electromagnetic spectrum are…
gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwave, radio
Can you experience all seven at the Spooky Spectrum? Each encounter is listed below in brackets.}
UNAIDED-EYE CELESTIAL OBJECTS
6:00pm to 7:00pm = crepuscular rays (personnel will give instructions)
{Ultraviolet}
6:00pm to 10:00pm = waxing gibbous Moon [mag -12.5]
—The “terminator” (the line where day meets night) moves across the face of the Moon, revealing more features! Compare the location of the terminator at 6:30pm, 7:45pm and 9:00pm!
6:15pm to 6:45pm = Venus [mag -4.0]
7:00pm to 7:30pm = Arcturus [mag 0.0]
7:15pm to 10pm = Vega [mag 0.0]
7:30pm to 10pm = Saturn [mag +0.7]
7:45pm to 10pm = Altair [mag +0.8]
8:00pm to 10pm = Fomalhaut [mag +1.2]
8:15pm to 10pm = Deneb [mag +1.3]
—Vega, Altair and Deneb form The Summer Triangle
SCOPE-ON-A-ROPE (6:00pm to 7:30pm)
This wonderful device allows patrons to bring (within reason) small items from home or from the outside property and see up-close views. Into what microscpic world could we delve? Spices? Coins? Plants?
SOUNDS FROM SPACE (6:00pm to 9:00pm) {Radio}
Many strange noises emanate from the extreme reaches of Universe—noises from black holes, pulsars and other things to make us jitter. These sounds will permeate the Main Floor.
FOOD (6:00pm to 10:00pm)
Gelato = $5.00 per serving
hot food = prices vary
MARSHMALLOW JOUST (6:30pm to 7:15pm) {Microwaves}
Some marshmallow are fated to be eaten—and some are fated to fight to the bitter end!
EXPLODING PUMPKIN (6:45pm to 7:00pm)
Every year it’s a hit. Did you think we wouldn’t do it this year? [Children under twelve cannot be left alone at this demonstration’s location.]
HEAT GOGGLES (7:00pm to 7:45pm) {Infrared}
See your surroundings in a new “light”.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE DEMONSTRATIONS (7pm to 9pm)
A different selection of demonstrations is shown every Spooky Spectrum. Which eight will it be this year?
THE SPOOKY QUEST (7:15pm to 8:45pm)
The well-known game is part scavenger hunt, part puzzle solving and part taskdoing. Kids can earn small prizes.
20OGS TELESCOPE (7:30pm to 10pm)
This legendary professional-grade telescope has been used to discover dozens of asteroids. It will be open for up-close views of the Full Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. This year’s operator will be LSU Professor Colin Turley.
BUILDING BONES (7:45pm to 8:30pm) {X-Rays}
What mysteries lie in wait for those who dare to take part in this gruesome task?
MARSHMALLOW ROAST (8:00pm to 9:30pm)
—8:15pm = Story: “The Roswell Incident”
—8:45pm = Story: “Black Holes”
—9:15pm = Story: “Death of the Sun”
LUNAR TOUR (9:00pm)
The HRPO Manager highlights variou
DEEP SKY TOUR (9:30pm)
The HRPO Education Program Specialist highlights the brightest deep-sky objects.
This schedule is subject to change. Please confirm with downloadable schedule.