Highland Road Park Observatory

Solar Viewing
2025-04-15 11:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | 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 Pisces at a maximum altitude of 70°. 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 (Very Good): precipitation potential 1%, sky cover 44%, relative humidity 56%, temperature 23C, wind N 14 km/h

Science Academy: "Storms!"
2025-04-19 10:00 - 12:00
Lightning storms rage on Venus and Jupiter while wind storms vary from Earth to Mars to Neptune. Cadets will do some remote “stormspotting”! [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-04-19 19:30 - 22:00
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waning gibbous 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 (Fair): precipitation potential 1%, sky cover 77%, relative humidity 78%, temperature 25C, wind SE 14 km/h

Spring Space Exploration Camp (day one)
2025-04-22 08:00 - 17:00
This two-day, thrice-a-year offering gives kids a front-row seat for hands-on exploration of current STEM developments; the latest in astronomical discoveries; and construction and launch of a chemical rocket. [For ages nine to thirteen. $55 per EBR-Parish Explorer; $66 per other-Parish Explorer.]

Spring Space Exploration Camp (day two)
2025-04-23 08:00 - 17:00

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Thirty-Five Years of Hubble"
2025-04-25 19:30 - 20:30
This is one of the missions that revolutionized how the population of Earth saw its place in the Universe. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-04-25 20:30 - 22:00
The 20OGS will be closed.
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 (Fair): precipitation potential 12%, sky cover 49%, relative humidity 84%, temperature 24C, wind S 3 km/h

Solar Viewing
2025-04-26 11:30 - 14:30
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 Aries at a maximum altitude of 73°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Very Good): precipitation potential 4%, sky cover 21%, relative humidity 73%, temperature 28C, wind E 3 km/h

STEM Expansion: "Quantum Physics"
2025-04-26 14:30 - 18:30
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.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-04-26 19:30 - 22:00
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 (Very Good): precipitation potential 1%, sky cover 22%, relative humidity 76%, temperature 26C, wind S 3 km/h

International Astronomy Day
2025-05-03 15:00 - 23:00
Due to NOAA’s current forecast (as of 12pm) it is strongly recommended that the public not arrive until after 4pm on Saturday. The music artist has been cancelled. Solar viewing has been postponed until at least 3:30pm.
Food Vendors: City Gelato, Rosie’s Gourment Popcorn, The Spice is Right.
Confirmed Exhibitors: Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club; Baton Rouge Gem and Mineral Society; Baton Rouge Zoo; Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center; Civil Air Patrol; East Baton Rouge Parish Library; East Baton Rouge Parish Mosquito Abatement; LIGO; Louisiana Master Naturalists; Louisiana Space Consortium; LSU Amateur Radio Club; St. George Fire Protection District. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast for 3pm to 7pm (Fair): precipitation potential 16%, sky cover 41%, relative humidity 71%, temperature 24C, wind NW 11 km/h
NOAA Forecast for 7pm to 11pm (Very Good): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 13%, relative humidity 74%, temperature 22C, wind NW 7 km/h

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-05-09 20:00 - 22:00
CANCELLED. HRPO will close by at least 9pm.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing gibbous Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 45° in Virgo. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Bad): precipitation potential 30%, sky cover 81%, relative humidity 92%, temperature 20C, wind NE 9 km/h

Science Academy: "ISS Expedition 10"
2025-05-10 10:00 - 12:00
The International Space Station is one of the greatest engineering feats in human history. From October 2004 to April 2005, Leroy Chiao and Salizhan Sharipov 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 131320.

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-05-10 19:30 - 22:00
The 20OGS dome is undergoing repairs. Viewing will take place on the front pad.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing gibbous Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 37° in Virgo. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Fair): precipitation potential 10%, sky cover 61%, relative humidity 84%, temperature 19C, wind NW 11 km/h

Baton Rouge Astronomical Society Meeting
2025-05-12 19:00 - 21:00
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.]

Solar Viewing
2025-05-14 11:30 - 14:30
Weather permitting, viewing of the Sun’s image in four different manners (indirectly onto a white surface, directly with safely-filtered optical light, directly in hydrogen-alpha wavelength and directly in calcium-K wavelength) will take place. During this time the Sun will be in the constellation Taurus at a maximum altitude of 78°. 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 4%, sky cover 5%, relative humidity 61%, temperature 239, wind SW 23 km/h

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Mt. St. Helens"
2025-05-16 19:30 - 20:30
In March 1980, this volcano erupted for the first time in over 100 years, killing over fifty people and shocking the country. Education Program Specialist Amy Northrop recounts the amazing story. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-05-16 20:30 - 22:00
The 20OGS dome is undergoing repairs. Viewing will take place on the front pad.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waning gibbous 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 48%, relative humidity 78%, temperature 28C, wind S 11 km/h

Science Academy: "Observing the Universe (Eyes)"
2025-05-17 10:00 - 12:00
Cadets will discover the majestic objects that can be spied in a natural sky without any equipment. [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 131320.

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-05-17 19:30 - 22:00
The 20OGS dome is undergoing repairs. Viewing will take place on the front pad. HRPO will close at 9:45pm.
Sunset, 7:52pm CDT. Twilight Ends, 9:25pm CDT.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waning gibbous 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 2%, sky cover 22%, relative humidity 72%, temperature 29C, heat index 32C, wind S 9 km/h

The Future of the Observatory
2025-05-23 17:30 - 20:30
HRPO will open at 6:15pm. The majority of this program’s information and will take place (weather permitting) during the weekend’s two Evening Sky Viewing sessions.
Sunset, 7:56pm CDT.
In a little over 900 days, HRPO will celebrate its thirtieth anniversary. This meet-and-greet (a tradition in late May) will allow a networking of involved patrons–and those who want to get involved. Several displays will premiere. [For ages twelve and older. No admission fee. Refreshments.]
NOAA Forecast (Poor): precipitation potential 32%, sky cover 46%, relative humidity 76%, temperature 28C, heat index 31C, wind S 8 km/h

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-05-23 20:30 - 22:00
This program is dependent upon the rain and thunder having left the HRPO area.
Twilight Ends, 9:31pm CDT.
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 3%, sky cover 46%, relative humidity 84%, temperature 26C, wind SE 3 km/h

Science Academy: "In-House Physics"
2025-05-24 10:00 - 12:00
The Newtonian world exists before our eyes. With equipment, controls and goals–Cadets will a run a gauntlet of one-off demonstrations. [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 131320.

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-05-24 19:30 - 22:00
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.]
Sunset, 7:57pm CDT. Twilight Ends, 9:31pm CDT.
NOAA Forecast (Very Good): precipitation potential 3%, sky cover 26%, relative humidity 76%, temperature 28C, heat index 31C, wind S 8 km/h

Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club Meeting
2025-05-27 18:00 - 20:00
For over eighty-five years the Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club has introduced the local area to the Amateur Radio Service and all its benefits. During this meeting officers and members will finalize plans for the ARRL Field Day at the end of June. To participate in this meeting, please follow the instructions at https://brarc.org. [For ages twelve and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-05-30 20:30 - 22:00
Due to sporadic internet outages, tonight’s lecture (“The Place Called Outer Space”) is postponed until 11 July.
Sunset, 8:00pm CDT
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 41° in Cancer. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
Twilight Ends, 9:36pm CDT.
NOAA Forecast (Bad): precipitation potential 9%, sky cover 94%, relative humidity 87%, temperature 25C, wind N 5 km/h

STEM Expansion: "Engineering I"
2025-05-31 14:30 - 18:30
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 131321. Deadline for online registration is 6pm the day (Friday) before.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-05-31 19:30 - 22:00
The 20OGS dome is undergoing repairs. Viewing will take place on the front pad beginning at 8pm.
Sunset, 8:01pm CDT.
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 63° in Cancer. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
Twilight Ends, 9:37pm CDT.
NOAA Forecast (Very Good): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 25%, relative humidity 66%, temperature 26C, wind NW 3 km/h

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-06-06 21:30 - 23:00
Sunset, 8:04pm CDT.
The 20OGS dome is undergoing repairs. Viewing will take place on the front pad from 9pm to 10:15pm.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing gibbous Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 45° in Virgo. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
Twilight Ends, 9:41pm CDT.
NOAA Forecast (Very Good): precipitation potential 1%, sky cover 13%, relative humidity 75%, temperature 29C, heat index 33C, wind SW 10 km/h

Science Academy: "Observing the Universe (Binoculars)"
2025-06-07 10:00 - 12:00
Cadets will discover the majestic objects that can be spied in a natural sky with only a binocular. [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet. The first “Observing the Universe” is not a prerequisite.]
To register, go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 231320.
