Highland Road Park Observatory

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Europa Clipper"
2024-09-27 19:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | 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

Science Academy: "Computer Languages"
2024-09-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
For the last of three sessions, Cadets will learn about machine, assembly and higher-level languages! [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet. Participation in Part I or Part II is not a prerequisite.]
To register, go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 531990.

Neptunian Opposition
2024-09-20 21:30 - 23:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Neptune is exactly 180 degrees from the Sun, rising as the Sun is setting. On this night, we are now the closest we’ll be to Neptune this year! Weather permitting, viewing of Neptune will take place. [For ages six and older. No admission fee. Binocular recommended.]
NOAA Forecast (Very Good): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 8%, relative humidity 84%, temperature 27C, heat index 29C, wind SE 3 km/hr

Solar Viewing
2024-09-16 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 62°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended.
This special session of solar viewing is programmed due to the predicted upcoming peak of Solar Cycle 25. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Plus Night: "The Icy Outposts"
2024-09-14 19:00 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
UPDATE: HRPO will close at 8pm.
20OGS viewing and the campfire are cancelled. Pad viewing will take place.
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 37° in Capricornus. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Poor): precipitation potential 24%, sky cover 63%, relative humidity 89%, temperature 27C, heat index 30C, wind W 3 km/hr

Science Academy: "Computer Anatomy"
2024-09-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
For this second in a series of three sessions, Cadets will learn about CPUs, motherboards and the like! [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet. Participation in Part I is not a prerequisite.]
To register, go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 531990.

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-09-13 20:30 - 22:00
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 33° in Sagittarius. 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 3%, relative humidity 86%, temperature 25C, wind S 2 km/hr

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Wonders of the Fall Sky"
2024-09-13 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
HRPO’s parking lot should be negotiated carefully after the storm. Some parking spaces are unavailable. The speed limit is 10mph.
BREC Education Program Specialist Amy Northrop will take the audience on a fascinating tour of Baton Rouge’s autumn season. She’ll highlight the celestial gems that will sparkle throughout the next three months–gems visitors will be able to see live if they continue to visit HRPO! [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Baton Rouge Astronomical Society Meeting
2024-09-09 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
2024-09-09 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-08-12 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.]

Saturnian Opposition
2024-09-07 22:00 - 2024-09-08 00:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Saturn is exactly 180 degrees from the Sun, rising as the Sun is setting. On this night, we are now the closest we’ll be to Saturn this year! Weather permitting, viewing of Saturn will take place. [For ages six and older. No admission fee. Binocular recommended.]
NOAA Forecast (Fair): precipitation potential 5%, sky cover 57%, relative humidity 93%, temperature 23C, wind NE 10 km/hr

Science Academy: "Computers Through History"
2024-09-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
From the abacus to the difference engine, mechanical concepts that verged on reaching computer status came on the scene centuries ago. In this first in a series of three sessions, Cadets will become immersed in the computing past! [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
2024-09-06 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
CANCELLED. HRPO will close by at least 8:45pm.
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 Virgo. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Bad): precipitation potential 75%, sky cover 84%, relative humidity 100%, temperature 23C, wind NE 13 km/hr

Friday Night Lecture Series: SOLWIND
2024-09-06 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
NASA has issued a Flood Watch, in effect until tomorrow at 7:00am.
The oft-forgotten instrument aboard the now-defunct P78-1 satellite discovered a comet in 1979–a discovery which presaged the numerous machine-based discoveries of comets and asteroids during the 21st century. [Postponed from 23 August. For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Solar Viewing
2024-08-31 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 Leo at a maximum altitude of 68°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-08-30 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
CANCELLED
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 (Bad): precipitation potential 32%, sky cover 83%, relative humidity 100%, temperature 24C, wind E 5 km/hr

Friday Night Lecture Series: "The Concept of Zero"
2024-08-30 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Please be aware that NOAA has issued a Flood Watch until 7pm tomorrow evening.
Not only the numeral but the idea of representing “nothing” mathematically revolutionized technology and philosophy. Want to hear the story? [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-08-24 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. Twilight ends at 9:00pm. 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 74%, temperature 28C, heat index 31C. wind E 5 km/hr

Science Academy: "Hurricanes"
2024-08-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
NOAA predicted a higher-than-average season this year for cyclonic storms. Cadets will receive their own take-home tracking maps, investigate the geophysical processes that create these monsters and perform a couple of hands-on experiments! [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
2024-08-23 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The lecture “SOLWIND” is postponed until September. HRPO opens at 8:30pm.
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 9%, relative humidity 74%, temperature 28C, heat index 31C. wind SE 5 km/hr

Plus Night: "The Ringed Beauty"
2024-08-17 19:00 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The heat index will be in the “Extreme Caution” category during the first hour of the program. Pad viewing will not begin until 7:30pm; dome viewing may not begin until 8:30pm.
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 30° in Capricornus. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 10%, sky cover 40%, relative humidity 78%, temperature 30C, heat index 38C. wind S 3 km/hr

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-08-16 19:30 - 20:30 | 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 31° in Sagittarius. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Friday Night Lecture Series: "The Current State of Space Launches"
2024-08-16 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Concerned about recent cancellations and off-the-Earth performances of certain spacecraft? BREC Center Supervisor James DeOliveira will analyze the various situations NASA and commercial companies are navigating. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Mars-Jupiter Conjunction
2024-08-14 03:30 - 05:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The Red Planet and the King of the Gas Giants will be placed in the sky less than a half-degree apart! Tight planet-planet conjunctions are not very common. We encourage you to bring your family and friends. [For ages six and older. No admission fee. Binocular strongly recommended.]

Solar Viewing
2024-08-13 12:15 - 14:15 | 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 Leo at a maximum altitude of 74°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended.
This special session of solar viewing is programmed due to the predicted upcoming peak of Solar Cycle 25. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Perseid Meteor Shower
2024-08-11 22:00 - 2024-08-12 02:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The Perseids are one of the major meteor showers of the year, caused by debris left from the passings of Comet Swift-Tuttle. Come learn about meteors and let’s see if we can spot some “earthgrazers”. Although telescopes aren’t used for meteor hunting, we’ll have at least one available until 12am for leisurely gazing at other celestial objects. Look fast for the meteors! Perseid meteoroids hit our atmosphere traveling about sixty kilometers per second. If you’re vigilant, you may see a fireball…. [For ages six and older. No admission fee. Visitors must adhere to all rules.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-08-10 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The heat index will be in the “Extreme Caution” category during the program. Viewing will take place from 7:45pm to 9:45pm.
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 37° in Virgo. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 1%, sky cover 9%, relative humidity 54%, temperature 33C, heat index 37C. wind N 5 km/hr

Science Academy: "ISS Expedition 7"
2024-08-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The International Space Station is one of the greatest engineering feats in human history. From April 2003 to October 2003 Yuri Malenchenko and Ed Lu 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.
