Highland Road Park Observatory

Science Academy: "Uranus and Neptune"
2024-11-09 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Highland Road Park Observatory
The ice giants can be spotted from Earth with little difficulty–Uranus with a binocular, Neptune with a telescope. Their unique color and lack of “twinkle” distinguish them from the stars. Cadets will learn how they were discovered, what Voyager found out and when we will be sending another spacecraft! [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet.]
To register go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 531990.

The Edge of Night
2024-11-08 16:45 - 18:45 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Due to weather conditions, the exercises for this event will be incorporated into the Natural Sky Conference on 22 November. HRPO will close tonight at 6:15pm.
it’s not light. It’s not dark. It’s that special time called twilight and HRPO wants to introduce you to it! Are all sections of the sky the same shade of blue? Which stars are seen first? Are Mercury and Venus or the Moon out? Is that moving object a plane, a weather balloon, a satellite or debris in outer space? How much actual darkness should be expected in a light-polluted city when night has come? There is no other time like twilight. Bring it into your life! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Poor): precipitation potential 19%, sky cover 63%, relative humidity 89%, temperature 26C, wind E 12 km/h

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-11-02 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing crescent Moon will be below the horizon. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

NOAA Forecast (Very Good): precipitation potential 1%, sky cover 27%, relative humidity 90%, temperature 23C, wind E 8 km/h

Science Academy: "Hot Air Balloons and Gliders"
2024-11-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
From blimps and dirigibles to smaller versions at birthday parties–lighter-than-air craft has brought joy and interest in flight, as well as provided practical means of transportation and of offense/defense in times of war. Cadets will learn about the Montgolfier brothers and also sneak a peek at gliders. [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet.]
To register go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 531990.

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-11-01 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
CANCELLED
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing crescent Moon will be below the horizon. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Bad): precipitation potential 19%, sky cover 72%, relative humidity 100%, temperature 22C, wind E 5 km/hr

Friday Night Lecture Series: "The Future is Ours"
2024-11-01 08:00 - 17:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
POSTPONED
As we approach the midpoint of 2024’s Autumn, this once-only discussion will outline the many different ways the upcoming four to five years will see incredible growth locally and beyond in skygazing and other STEM-based hobbies. The possibilities are as endless as the opportunities. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-10-26 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) may be visible between 7:45pm and 8:15pm through the upstairs telescope. This is the last alert for viewing of Comet C/2023 A3.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waning crescent Moon will be below the horizon. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 0%, relative humidity 70%, temperature 23C, wind S 3 km/hr

STEM Expansion: "Spooky STEM"
2024-10-26 14:30 - 18:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
This program offers advanced topics, activity extensions and all-new games and demonstrations to older youth. Certificates are earned and archived as well as modern experiments take place. There are also giveaways and door prizes. [For ages twelve to sixteen. $15 per EBR parish registrant; $18 per other-parish registrant. Register via WebTrac; use activity number 531993. Deadline for online registration is 6pm the day (Friday) before.]

Solar Viewing
2024-10-26 12:00 - 14:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Weather permitting, viewing of the Sun’s image in three different manners (indirectly onto a white surface, directly with safely-filtered optical light and directly in hydrogen-alpha wavelength) will take place. During this time the Sun will be in the constellation Virgo at a maximum altitude of 47°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 0%, relative humidity 58%, temperature 28C, wind NE 3 km/hr

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-10-25 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) may be visible between 8:30pm and 9:15pm, but only on the viewing grounds. The comet will be too low for the upstairs telescope.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waning crescent Moon will be below the horizon. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 1%, relative humidity 82%, temperature 22C, wind SE 3 km/hr

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Buying Skygazing Equipment"
2024-10-25 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
BRAS member (and asteroid discoverer) Merrill Hess heads this personnel-driven overview of this year’s economic landscape for binoculars, telescopes, flashlights, eyepieces and filters. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-10-19 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) may be visible between 7:15pm and 8:30pm. Any interested parties should bring a binocular if possible.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waning gibbous Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 21° in Taurus. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 1%, relative humidity 74%, temperature 20C, wind E 3 km/hr

Science Academy: ISS Expedition 8"
2024-10-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The International Space Station is one of the greatest engineering feats in human history. From October 2003 to April 2004 Michael Foale and Alexander Kaleri conducted experiments and did what few have done-–lived off the Earth. Cadets will build on the circuit board and sample the astronauts’ menu! [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet.]
To register, go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 531990.

Outer Space Retro Night
2024-10-18 18:30 - 21:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) may be visible between 7:15pm and 8:15pm. Any interested parties should bring a binocular if possible.
20OGS viewing will not begin before 8pm.
For sixty-six years mankind has ventured into the upper reaches of our atmosphere and beyond. This program will combine the best of NASA with the triumphs here at HRPO. Displays, new items, nostalgia, videos, visible passes and lunar excursions (via telescope)! [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee. Drinks.]
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 51%, relative humidity 62%, temperature 19C, wind E 7 km/hr

Solar Viewing
2024-10-17 11:45 - 13:45 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Weather permitting, viewing of the Sun’s image in three different manners (indirectly onto a white surface, directly with safely-filtered optical light and directly in hydrogen-alpha wavelength) will take place. During this time the Sun will be in the constellation Virgo at a maximum altitude of 50°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended.
This special session of solar viewing is programmed due to the predicted increase in solar activity due to Solar Cycle 25. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 1%, relative humidity 45%, temperature 19C, wind E 10 km/hr

Supermoon Rising!
2024-10-16 19:15 - 20:45 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) may be visible early this evening. HRPO is opening its grounds at 6:30pm. Any interested parties should bring a binocular if possible.
HRPO opens for the closest Supermoon in every calendar year that has one. The thrill comes from a combination of that actual closeness and the illusion that makes a Full Moon look closer still when it is near the horizon. Be part of the crowd to experience a Supermoon Rising! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 0%, relative humidity 41%, temperature 16C, wind NE 10 km/hr

Baton Rouge Astronomical Society Meeting
2024-10-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
For over four decades the Baton Rouge Astronomical Society has educated countless numbers of citizens in the joys of planetary and deep-sky gazing, and factors to consider when buying a pair of binoculars or a telescope. Over the years BRAS members have constructed their own telescopes and photographic platforms; imaged comets; earned observing certificates and discovered asteroids. Anyone interested in learning more about BRAS is invited to attend. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Light Pollution Committee Meeting
2024-10-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The Light Pollution Committee is an education effort overseen by the Baton Rouge Astronomical Society. The public is invited. The LPC teaches people what light pollution is, what the different types of light pollution are, how they are detrimental and how to determine if any particular location has a light pollution problem. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Comet Viewing
2024-10-13 18:45 - 20:15 | Burbank Soccer Complex, 12400 Burbank Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Weather permitting, an attempt to view of Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) will take place at the Burbank Soccer Complex. The device operators will be in the back of the Complex near the Dog Park. Please look for red lights. Please keep in mind, the Complex will be locked soon after the viewing. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

The Spooky Spectrum
2024-10-12 18:00 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
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 have never been seen. Don’t forget the stories: strange sky phenomena…extra dimensions…extraterrestrials. Be warned. We want to make you think! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 0%, relative humidity 60%, temperature 25C, wind S 3 km/hr

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-10-05 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
CANCELLED
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing crescent Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 7° in Libra. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Fair): precipitation potential 2%, sky cover 78%, relative humidity 87%, temperature 25C, wind E 3 km/hr

Science Academy: "The Spooky Session"
2024-10-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
It’s the Saturday before the Spooky Spectrum! Cadets will preview some of that event’s concepts, experiencing creepy legends and tales from the annals of space exploration while delving into a science-based mystery. [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet.]
To register, go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 531990.

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-10-04 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
CANCELLED
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing crescent Moon will be below the horizon. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Poor): precipitation potential 11%, sky cover 82%, relative humidity 98%, temperature 24C, wind E 8 km/hr

Friday Night Lecture Series: "The Spooky Sampler"
2024-10-04 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
It’s Halloween season. This lecture slot will be used to highlight a smorgasbord of unsettling stories, images and theories–for our adult audience. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-09-28 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waning crescent Moon will be below the horizon. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 1%, relative humidity 67%, temperature 26C, wind W 3 km/h

STEM Expansion: "Computer Coding"
2024-09-28 14:30 - 18:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory

Solar Viewing
2024-09-28 12:00 - 14:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Weather permitting, viewing of the Sun’s image in three different manners (indirectly onto a white surface, directly with safely-filtered optical light and directly in hydrogen-alpha wavelength) will take place. During this time the Sun will be in the constellation Virgo at a maximum altitude of 57°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 0%, relative humidity 54%, temperature 29C, heat index 30C, wind W 11 km/hr

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-09-27 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waning crescent Moon will be below the horizon. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 1%, relative humidity 68%, temperature 23C, wind W 5 km/hr

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Europa Clipper"
2024-09-27 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
NASA is launching its newest robotic mission in October. Its goal will be to study Jupiter’s moon Europa, currently considered one of the best candidates for life in our Solar System. (Amy Northrop gives this lecture.) [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-09-21 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waning gibbous Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 5° in Taurus. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 4%, relative humidity 77%, temperature 27C, heat index 30C, wind SE 3 km/hr
