Evening Sky Viewing
2023-08-25 20:30 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | 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 Ophiuchus. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Solar Viewing
2023-08-26 12:00 - 14:00
NOTE: NOAA has forecast an Excessive Heat Warning for the HRPO area beginning at 10am CDT tomorrow. The heat index is predicted to be in the Danger category. If this does not change by 9am tomorrow, Solar Viewing is cancelled.
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. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [No admission fee. For all ages.]

STEM Expansion: "Astrogeology"
2023-08-26 15:30 - 19:30
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. Deadline for online registration is 6pm the day (Friday) before.]

Saturnian Opposition
2023-08-26 22:15 - 2023-08-27 00:15
Saturn is exactly 180 degrees from the Sun, rising as the Sun is setting. We are now the closest we’ll be to Saturn this year! Weather permitting, viewing of Saturn will take place. [No admission fee. For ages six and older.]

Supermoon Rising!
2023-08-30 21:00 - 22:30
HRPO closes for the closest Supermoon in every calendar year that has one. The thrill comes from a combination of that actual closeness and the illusion that makes a Full Moon look closer still when it is near the horizon. Be part of the crowd to experience a Supermoon Rising at HRPO! [No admission fee. For ages six and older.]

Experimental Music Series I
2023-09-01 19:30 - 20:30
LSU doctoral students and visiting artists perform new works involving round objects, hacked electronics, video game music and new ways of playing old instruments. Visual projections will be part of the performances. The performers will include Dylan Burchett and Erin Demastes; Hal Lambert; Mitchell Mobley (all of New Orleans); and Tammy Duplantis (of Santa Cruz, California). There will be three performances (solos and duos), each lasting fifteen to twenty minutes per set. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2023-09-01 20:30 - 22:00
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 14° in Cetus. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Science Academy: "Asteroids and Atomic Fusion"
2023-09-02 10:00 - 12:00
This one-time-only session is actually two one-hour treats! First, the upcoming OSIRIS-REx capsule return to Earth will be discussed. Second, the power of stars will be revealed as we marvel at the intense activity present on our Sun. [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2023-09-02 19:30 - 22:00
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 7° in Pisces. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Experimental Music Series II
2023-09-08 18:30 - 19:30
The series concludes with Pink See-Through Fantasia–Billy, Paula, Lynn, Greg and Garrin. This will be, in Billy Callaway’s words, “dreamy, atmospheric, echoey and ambient using four guitars, drums and loads of effects pedals. Well, that seems just perfect for setting a skygazing mood. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2023-09-08 20:30 - 2023-09-21 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.]

Science Academy: "Power in the House I"
2023-09-09 10:00 - 12:00
The first of this three-session series has Cadets focus on how solar radiation may be a reliable source of renewable energy with the right technology and preparation! [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet. Register via WebTrac; use activity number 531990]

Plus Night: "Ice Giants and Comets"
2023-09-09 19:00 - 22:00
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, and drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Light Pollution Committee Meeting
2023-09-11 18:00 - 19:00
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
2023-09-11 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, 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. This month the speaker will be Amy Northrop (in her capacity as a JPL Solar System Ambassador). [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2023-09-15 20:30 - 22:00
NOTE: Due to unavailability of the speaker, tonight’s planned lecture (“STEREO Shows the Sun”) will be rescheduled in December or January.
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.]

Science Academy: "Power in the House II"
2023-09-16 10:00 - 12:00
The second of this three-session series has Cadets focus on how the movement of wind can be transformed into energy for families and businesses! [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet. Register via WebTrac; use activity number 531990. Participation in part I is not a prerequisite for participation.]

Neptunian Opposition
2023-09-18 21:45 - 23:45
Neptune is exactly 180 degrees from the Sun, rising as the Sun is setting. 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.]

Friday Night Lecture Series: "The Visible Passes"
2023-09-22 08:00 - 17:00
Since 1958 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? [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee. Postponed from 4 August.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2023-09-22 20:30 - 22:00
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 28° in Sagittarius. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Solar Viewing
2023-09-23 12:00 - 14:00
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 59°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

STEM Expansion: "Astrobiology"
2023-09-23 15:30 - 19:30
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
2023-09-23 19:30 - 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 31° in Sagittarius. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

OSIRIS-REx Sample Return Party
2023-09-24 09:00 - 10:30
It’s been quite a while since HRPO has arranged a NASA party. This one is going to be one of the most memorable. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft is visiting Earth only to drop off the capsule containing the rubble samples from asteroid Bennu. Join us as we watch the live the parachute landing of the capsule onto the Utah Test and Training Range. [For ages six and older. No admission fee. Drinks and refreshments.]

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Artificial Intelligence"
2023-09-29 19:30 - 20:30
No other year of our lives has seen such a social shift in awareness regarding the day-to-day effect government and private use of AI has on the existence of the human species. What is AI? Who is developing it and to what end? What do futurists and policy makers have to say about it? Should we welcome AI with open arms or cautious optimism? [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2023-09-29 20:30 - 22:00
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 Pisces. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Science Academy: "Power in the House III"
2023-09-30 10:00 - 12:00
The last of this three-session series has Cadets focus on how the motion of water can be a source of back-up power. [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet. Register via WebTrac; use activity number 531990. Participation in parts I and II is not a prerequisite for participation.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2023-09-30 19:30 - 22:00
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 27° in Aries. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Apollo 7 55th Anniversary"
2023-10-06 19:30 - 20:30
Donn Eisele, Wally Schirra and Walter Cunningham demonstrated the ability of the command and service module—paving the way for our trips to the Moon that eventually led to the landings. Former BREC Center Supervisor Tom Northrop narrates this historic success! [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2023-10-06 20:30 - 22:00
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.]
