Highland Road Park Observatory

Plus Night: "Right Ascension 1"
2025-11-15 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset: 5:07pm CST. Twilight Ends: 6:31pm 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 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 (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 3%, relative humidity 84%, temperature 19C, wind SW 7 km

Natural Sky Conference
2025-11-21 16:30 - 21:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 8%, sky cover 29%, relative humidity 90%, temperature 24C, wind SW 6 km
Quite possibly the most important hours a stakeholder will spend at HRPO this year will be the networking gathering allowing the facility’s parents, BRAS members and LSU astronomy students to talk to those organizations in the area that have the greatest ability to curb light pollution. [Drinks. For ages twelve and older. No admission fee.]

Science Academy: "ISS Expedition 12"
2025-11-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The International Space Station is one of the greatest engineering feats in human history. From September 2005 to April 2006, Bill McArthur and Valery Tokarev 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 331320.

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-11-22 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset, 5:04pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:29pm 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 (Very Good): precipitation potential 2%, sky cover 26%, relative humidity 88%, temperature 22C, wind NW 3 km

Solar Viewing
2025-11-29 11:30 - 14:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 5%, sky cover 51%, relative humidity 66%, temperature 21C, wind SE 12 km
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 Scorpius at a maximum altitude of 38°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

STEM Expansion: "Anatomy"
2025-11-29 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 331321. Deadline for online registration is 6pm the day (Friday) before.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-11-29 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset, 5:03pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:29pm 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 61° 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 6%, sky cover 28%, relative humidity 83%, temperature 17C, wind SE 8 km

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-12-05 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Cancelled. HRPO will close at 7pm.
Sunset, 5:03pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:29pm 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 48° in Auriga. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Bad): precipitation potential 24%, sky cover 87%, relative humidity 97%, temperature 9C, wind NE 2 km

Science Academy: "Surveying the Moon"
2025-12-06 10:00 - 12:00 | 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.]
To register, go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 431320.

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-12-06 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Cancelled.
Sunset, 5:03pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:29pm 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 34° in Gemini. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Poor): precipitation potential 3%, sky cover 79%, relative humidity 100%, temperature 11C, wind SE 3 km

Baton Rouge Astronomical Society Meeting
2025-12-08 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.]

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Buying Skygazing Equipment"
2025-12-12 19:00 - 20:00
Telescopes, binoculars, planetarium programs, planispheres…mosquito spray. If you want to be a skygazer of action like Merrill Hess, he will guide you to the best tools. [Postponed from 5 December. For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Discussion: "Artificial Intelligence"
2025-12-12 20:00 - 21:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
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 5 December. For ages twelve and older. No admission fee.]

Geminid Meteor Shower
2025-12-12 21:00 - 2025-12-13 01:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Currently foggy conditions. Please do not drive through fog to get to HRPO.
The grass is wet. Please bring a tarp, lawn chair or any other barrier that can get wet/dirty.
The Geminid meteors, in addition to being part of one of the most reliable showers of the year, are quite intriguing and were first noticed in the 1860s. For this one viewing period the public is welcome to arrive for sky viewing. Due to the light pollution problem here in the Baton Rouge area, it is feasible to attempt viewing of this major shower only during its peak time. The waning crescent Moon will be below the horizon. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 6%, sky cover 62%, relative humidity 100%, temperature 17C, wind E 2 km

Science Academy: "Planet, Star, Galaxy, Universe II"
2025-12-13 10:00 - 13:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The comparative investigation continues! A never-before-seen infrared experiment will be included in Cadets’ stations. [Participation in Part I 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

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-12-13 20:00 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset, 5:04pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:31pm 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 (Fair): precipitation potential 14%, sky cover 34%, relative humidity 100%, temperature 16C, wind S 3 km

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Wonders of the Winter Sky"
2025-12-19 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
BREC Education Program Specialist Amy Northrop will take the audience on a fascinating tour of Baton Rouge’s winter 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.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2025-12-19 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Sunset, 5:07pm CST. Twilight Ends, 6:34pm CST.
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.]
NOAA Forecast (Excellent): precipitation potential 0%, sky cover 3%, relative humidity 68%, temperature 10C, wind E 3 km

Science Academy: "Surveying the Sun"
2025-12-20 10:00 - 12:00 | 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 | Highland Road Park Observatory
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
