Science Academy: "Surveying the Sun"
2025-12-20 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Highland Road Park Observatory
The study of the big triumvirate (Earth, Sun and Moon) continues. Cadets will learn how our only natural satellite (probably) originated, what it has and can do for us, and when we’ll return! [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet. Participation in parts I and II are not a prerequisite.]
To register, go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 431320.

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-12-20 19:30 - 22:00
Sunset, 5:07pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:34pm CST.
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 (Fair): precipitation potential 1%, sky cover 55%, relative humidity 92%, temperature 19C, wind S 5 km

2026 Preview Party
2025-12-26 18:00 - 22:00
NOAA has issued a Dense Fog Advisory from 10pm to 10am.
The last open Friday of December is devoted to premiering much of the 2026 schedule (lectures, camps, celestial events, special programs, classes and guests). [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 2%, sky cover 43%, relative humidity 89%, temperature 22C, wind SW 9 km/h

Solar Viewing
2025-12-27 12:00 - 14:00
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 calcium-K wavelength and directly hydrogen-alpha wavelength) will take place. During this time the Sun will be in the constellation Sagittarius at a maximum altitude of 36°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 1%, sky cover 55%, relative humidity 79%, temperature 25C, wind SW 10 km/h

STEM Expansion: "Archaeology"
2025-12-27 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 431321. Deadline for online registration is 6pm the day (Friday) before.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-12-27 19:30 - 22:00
Sunset, 5:11pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:38pm CST.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the First Quarter Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 59° in Pisces. 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 55%, relative humidity 87%, temperature 21C, wind S 5 km/h

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-01-02 20:30 - 22:00
Cancelled.
Sunset, 5:15pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:42pm CST.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the Full Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 64° in Gemini. 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 75%, relative humidity 90%, temperature 21C, wind SW 14 km/h

Science Academy: "Jupiter"
2026-01-03 10:00 - 12:00
In preparation for the opposition, Cadets will learn Jupiter’s main characteristics and important past mission visits–and the future investigation of Europa! [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 431320.

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-01-03 19:30 - 22:00
Sunset, 5:16pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:42pm CST.
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 50° in Gemini. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Very Good): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 33%, relative humidity 79%, temperature 16C, wind N 12 km/h

Jovian Opposition
2026-01-09 19:45 - 21:45
Cancelled. NOAA has issued a Flood Watch until 9am.
Jupiter is about 180 degrees from the Sun, rising in Gemini as the Sun sets in Sagittarius. On this night we are the closest we’ll be to Jupiter all year! Weather permitting, viewing of Jupiter will take place. [For ages six and older. No admission fee. Binocular recommended.]
NOAA Forecast (Bad): precipitation potential 58%, sky cover 79%, relative humidity 92%, temperature 23C, wind S 8 km/h

Science Academy: "Distances in Space"
2026-01-10 10:00 - 12:00
The astronomical unit. The light-year. The parsec. The Universe gives new meaning to the word “vast”, and Cadets will have a workshop illustrating the ways we reconcile that enormous area of space with the information we’ve learned and the information we want to learn! [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 431320.

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-01-10 19:30 - 22:00
HRPO will remain open at least until 8:30pm.
Sunset, 5:22pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:47pm CST.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the Last Quarter 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 3%, sky cover 78%, relative humidity 79%, temperature 15C, wind N 16 km/h

Baton Rouge Astronomical Society Meeting
2026-01-12 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.]

Discussion: "Artificial Intelligence"
2026-01-16 19:30 - 20:30
Many game-changing moments have occurred since HRPO’s last focus on AI–some astonishing, some alarming. This brief update is for any who want the latest information. [Postponed from 12 December. For ages twelve and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-01-16 20:30 - 22:00
Sunset, 5:27pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:52pm CST.
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 4%, sky cover 43%, relative humidity 87%, temperature 15C, wind S 6 km/

Science Academy: "Planet, Star, Galaxy, Universe III"
2026-01-17 10:00 - 12:00
The comparative investigation continues! A never-before-seen red-light constellation finder will be included in Cadets’ stations. [Participation in Part I or Part II is not a prerequisite. 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 431320.

Plus Night: "Winter Sky Survey"
2026-01-17 19:00 - 22:00
Sunset: 5:27pm CST. Twilight Ends: 6:52pm CST.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. There will also be physical science demonstrations, a marshmallow roast, a sky tour and a game for kids to earn small prizes. 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 4%, sky cover 41%, relative humidity 56%, temperature 8C, wind chill 6C, wind N 10 km/h

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Planet X"
2026-01-23 19:30 - 20:30
Ten years ago Caltech astronomers released evidence for an object larger than Earth–past Neptune in the outer solar system. If it exists, this planet could take thousands of years to orbit the Sun. What data have more recent observations uncovered? [For ages twelve and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-01-23 20:30 - 22:00
Cancelled. HRPO will close at 9pm.
Sunset, 5:33pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:57pm CST.
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 24° in Pisces. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Poor): precipitation potential 7%, sky cover 85%, relative humidity 81%, temperature 16C, wind NE 11 km/h

Science Academy: "Calendars and Timekeepers"
2026-01-24 10:00 - 12:00
Almost always based on division of an Earth year and/or a lunar cycle, calendars mark the passages and anticipations of important events of our lives: births, graduations, marriages, deaths—comet apparitions, meteor showers, eclipses! Cadets will learn the origins and varieties of calendars. [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 431320

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-01-24 19:30 - 22:00
Cancelled. NOAA Flood Advisory in effect until 7pm Saturday. NOAA Cold Weather Advisory from 6pm Saturday to 6pm Sunday. NOAA Winter Storm Watch from midnight Sunday to 6pm Sunday. NOAA Extreme Cold Warning from 6pm Sunday to 12pm Tuesday.
Sunset, 5:34pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:58pm CST.
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 49° in Pisces. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Bad): precipitation potential 68%, sky cover 90%, relative humidity 100%, temperature 13C, wind N 5 km/h

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Apollo 14 Fifty-Fifth Anniversary"
2026-01-30 19:30 - 20:30
It was the launch that had something to prove. Nearly a year after the near-disaster of Apollo Thirteen our country’s first spaceman–Alan Shepard–returned to space, joined by Stuart Roosa and Edgar Mitchell. During this time when Americans readying for the launch of Artemis II, former HRPO Center Supervisor Tom Northrop continues his Apollo anniversary talks. [For ages twelve and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-01-30 20:30 - 22:00
Sunset, 5:39pm CST. Twilight Ends, 7:02pm CST.
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 80° in Gemini. 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 66%, relative humidity 67%, temperature 5C, wind chill 2C, wind N 16 km/h

Solar Viewing
2026-01-31 12:00 - 14:00
NOAA’s Extreme Cold Warning expires at 10am Sunday.
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 calcium-K wavelength and directly hydrogen-alpha wavelength) will take place. During this time the Sun will be in the constellation Capricornus at a maximum altitude of 42°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 4%, relative humidity 37%, temperature 2C, wind chill -5C, wind N 29 km/h

STEM Expansion: "Geophysics"
2026-01-31 14:30 - 18:30

Artemis II Party
2026-02-06 18:30 - 22:30
The Artemis II launch has been delayed until at least March. HRPO will still be open for viewing. The 20OGS will be in operation from 8:30pm to 10pm.
This test flight will be the first of the Artemis Program to have human beings on board: NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch; and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. These four brave souls will travel over 7000 kilometers beyond the Moon! This trip is expected to last about ten days. Celebration is in order, and HRPO will provide it! Sky viewing and other activities will take place simultaneously. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 2%, relative humidity 70%, temperature 16C, wind W 5 km/h

Science Academy: "ISS Expedition 13"
2026-02-07 10:00 - 12:00
The International Space Station is one of the greatest engineering feats in human history. From March 2006 to September 2006, Pavel Vinogradov, Jeff Williams and Thomas Reiter 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 431320.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2026-02-07 19:30 - 22:00
Sunset, 5:46pm CST. Twilight Ends, 7:08pm CST.
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 (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 1%, relative humidity 67%, temperature 13C, wind NE 3 km/h

Baton Rouge Astronomical Society Meeting
2026-02-09 19:00 - 21:00
For over four decades the Baton Rouge Astronomical Society has educated countless numbers of citizens in the joys of lunar, planetary and deep-sky gazing; and factors to consider when buying a binocular, a telescope or a camera. 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.]

Friday Night Lecture Series: "2025--The Space Year in Review"
2026-02-13 19:30 - 20:30
Tradition continues with HRPO’s cornerstone program looking back at the discoveries, advances and celestial events of the previous year. [Postponed from 2 January. For ages twelve and older. No admission fee.]
