Highland Road Park Observatory

Solar Viewing
2024-02-14 11:15 - 13:15 (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 Capricornus at a maximum altitude of 47°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended.
This special session of solar viewing is programmed due to major activity on the Sun. As of 12 February there had been Radio Blackout Level Two (R2) and Solar Radiation Storm Level One (S1) within the past twenty-four hours, with the last having been observed S1. Geomagnetic Storm Level One (G1) activity was predicted for that day and 14 February, while Geomagnetic Storm Level Two (G2) activity was predicted for 13 February. The Space Weather Prediction Center says “CME [coronal mass ejection] influence is anticipated 12-14 February UTC. The general public does not need to be concerned….” HRPO staff used a Sunspotter and used also an Orion 10″ Dobsonian with Thousand Oaks Optical filter. HRPO personnel saw five of the current seven Active Regions.
[For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Friday Night Lecture Series: "STEREO Shows the Sun"
2024-02-16 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The mission was revolutionary: place two spacecraft at different vantage points to record our parent star simultaneously. BREC Center Supervisor James DeOliveira shows the fascinating science that prepared us for this year’s extreme level of activity. [Postponed from 15 September. For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-02-16 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
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 61° in Taurus. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Science Academy: "Volcanic Risks"
2024-02-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
This is the second of three sessions belong to Amy Northrop’s volcano module! The last will take place on 2 March. Participation in this session is not a prerequisite for the final session. [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.

Plus Night: "Love in the Ether"
2024-02-17 19:00 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
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 waxing gibbous Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 87° in Taurus. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Radio Waves"
2024-02-23 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The longest waves in the electromagnetic spectrum are used for entertainment and emergencies. One-way radio informs while two-or-more radio keeps us connected with others near and far. From early shipping to the ISS, radio is everywhere! [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-02-23 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the Full Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 56° in Leo. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Solar Viewing
2024-02-24 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 Aquarius at a maximum altitude of 50°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

STEM Expansion: "Astrophysics"
2024-02-24 15:30 - 19:30 | 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.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-02-24 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 34° in Virgo. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Apollo 9 Fifty-Fifth Anniversary"
2024-03-01 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The lunar successes continued as McDivitt, Schweickart and Scott performed the first command module-to-lunar module docking in space! Former BREC Center Supervisor Tom Northrop recounts the thrilling challenge and the exploits of that brave crew. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-03-01 20:30 - 22:00, 2024-03-02 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 below the horizon. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Science Academy: "Otherwordly Volcanoes"
2024-03-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
This is the last of three sessions belong to Amy Northrop’s volcano module. Mars, Io and many other Solar System locations have their own amazing volcanoes–defunct and active! Participation in the first two sessions is not a prerequisite for this final session. [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 (winter session)
2024-03-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
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 or Venus or the Moon out? Is that moving object a plane, a satellite or space debris? How much darkness should I expect in a light-polluted city when twilight has passed? There is no other time like twilight. Bring it into your life! [For ages six and older. No admission fee. Binocular strongly recommended.]
UPDATE: According to NOAA, rain chance is over forty-five percent. Viewing will not take place. HRPO will close at 6pm.

Science Academy: "Galaxies"
2024-03-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The islands of the Universe are composed of incredible numbers of stars, nebulae, planets and protoplanetary disks. Cadets will immerse themselves into the hidden truths of these fascinating addresses. [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
2024-03-09 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the New Moon will be below the horizon. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Light Pollution Committee Meeting
2024-03-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Are you a local skygazer, homeowner, business owner, science teacher or stakeholder interested reclaiming a natural sky above HRPO and its surrounding while simultaneously saving money and energy, and making driving safer? This meeting (open to the public) is a sounding board for real-life solutions to the light pollution problem. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Baton Rouge Astronomical Society Meeting
2024-03-11 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, the perils of light pollution 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; and 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: "Wonders of the Spring Sky"
2024-03-15 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
BREC Education Curator Amy Northrop will take the audience on a fascinating tour of Baton Rouge’s upcoming spring season. She’ll highlight the celestial gems that will sparkle throughout those three months–gems visitors will be able to see live if they continue to visit HRPO. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-03-15 20:30 - 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 at a maximum altitude of 59° in Taurus. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Science Academy: "Rocks and Minerals"
2024-03-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
What are rocks and minerals–and who decides what is considered a “gem”? Cadets will have dozens of samples to study in real time during this one-time-only standalone session! [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.

Plus Night: "Pi in the Sky"
2024-03-16 19:00 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
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 First Quarter Moon will be at a maximum altitude of 88° in Taurus. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Friday Night Lecture Series: "The Visible Passes"
2024-03-22 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Since the late 1950s defunct satellites, rocket bodies, active payloads and space stations have peppered the views of those with little to no light pollution and/or magnification devices. How can you see these manmade objects? Do they cause problems for glamour shots of space or active scientific data gathering? This update of last fall’s talk will reveal all the amazing sighting opportunities! [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-03-22 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
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 58° in Leo. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Science Academy: "Constellations"
2024-03-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The night sky is divided into eight-eighty sections, each with its own mythology and celestial treasures. Cadets will tour the regular destinations as well as enthralling out-of-the-way locations! [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
2024-03-23 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
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 47° in Leo. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Mercurian Elongation
2024-03-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Burbank Soccer Complex, 12400 Burbank Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Periodically Mercury reaches its greatest angular separation in the sky (elongation) from the Sun. This is the safest way to view Mercury by amateurs. Come join us at the Burbank Soccer Complex! The planet will appear as a “half-Mercury”. The Full Moon and Jupiter will also be seen. [For ages six and older. No admission fee. Binocular strongly recommended.]

Solar Viewing
2024-03-30 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 Pisces at a maximum altitude of 64°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

STEM Expansion: "Chemistry"
2024-03-30 15:30 - 19:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
