Highland Road Park Observatory

Solar Viewing
2024-07-27 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Highland Road Park Observatory
If there is no rain, viewing will be attempted at least until 1pm.
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 Cancer at a maximum altitude of 79°. Protective clothing and sunscreen are recommended. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Poor): precipitation potential 36%, sky cover 45%, relative humidity 83%, temperature 30C, heat index 38C, wind SW 3 km/hr.

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-07-26 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
CANCELLED — HRPO will close by at least 9:45pm.
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 (Bad): precipitation potential 23%, sky cover 67%, relative humidity 97%, temperature 24C, wind E 3 km/hr

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Our Birth Stars"
2024-07-26 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
A person’s “birth star” is a star whose light has taken as long to reach Earth as he’s been alive. Of course, birth stars change over the course of a human lifetime and are as varied as human beings themselves! How can you see yours? [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Mercurian Elongation
2024-07-21 19:45 - 21:15 | Burbank Soccer Complex, 12400 Burbank Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
CANCELLED — NOAA Forecast (Bad): precipitation potential 25%, sky cover 66%, relative humidity 96%, temperature 25C, heat index 26C, wind S 3 km/hr.
Periodically, Mercury reaches its greatest angular separation in the sky (elongation) from the Sun. This is the safest way for amateurs to view Mercury. Come join us at the Burbank Soccer Complex! The planet will appear as a “half-Mercury”. The waning gibbous Moon will also be seen. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Full Moon Party
2024-07-20 19:00 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
NO VIEWING — HRPO will close by at least 10pm.
Physical science demonstrations, hands-on activities. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Bad): precipitation potential 40%, sky cover 60%, relative humidity 87%, temperature 27C, heat index 33C, wind S 3 km/hr

Science Academy: "A Natural Satellite to Visit"
2024-07-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Earth is the closest planet to the Sun with a Moon. This body has inspired and informed art, religion and philosophy as well as science, Cadets will discuss the different ways we’ve looked at our Moon over the millennia, before and after the Space Race. [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
2024-07-19 20:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
CANCELLED — HRPO will close by at least 9:45pm.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing gibbous Moon at a maximum altitude of 24° in Sagittarius. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Bad): precipitation potential 25%, sky cover 63%, relative humidity 92%, temperature 26C, wind S 2 km/hr

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Apollo 11 Fifty-Fifth Anniversary"
2024-07-19 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Tom Northrop (former BREC Center Supervisor) will present an extended highlighting of the trip that three men took–as the rest of the human species watched, waited, hoped and cheered. Assisted by the scientists and engineers and politicians and other supporters (and preceded by other brave astronauts who paved the way), Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin and Michael Collins committed themselves to a goal that accelerated technological progress and elevated the human spirit. [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-07-13 19:30 - 22:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the First Quarter Moon at a maximum altitude of 48° in Virgo. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Poor): precipitation potential 21%, sky cover 69%, relative humidity 83%, temperature 28C, heat index 33C, wind SW 3 km/h

Science Academy: "Mercury"
2024-07-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The closest planet to the Sun, the fastest to go around the Sun and the smallest official planet. They are all Mercury! In time for its upcoming evening elongation, Cadets will learn about it, the missions we’ve sent and how to see it in the sky! [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
2024-07-12 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 at a maximum altitude of 43° in Virgo. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Good): precipitation potential 9%, sky cover 43%, relative humidity 85%, temperature 28C, heat index 32C, wind S 3 km/hr

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Waiting for a Nova"
2024-07-12 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
What violent process can cause a star to temporarily outshine its surroundings by factors of up to hundreds of thousands–if not millions–and survive, only to do it all over again another day? This rare and astonishing event may be occuring very soon. Where will it happen? What will it look like from Earth? [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]

Baton Rouge Astronomical Society Meeting
2024-07-08 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.]

Light Pollution Committee Meeting
2024-07-08 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.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-07-06 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
CANCELLED — HRPO will close by at least 9:30pm.
Weather permitting, viewing through one or more telescopes will take place. During this time the waxing crescent Moon at a maximum altitude of 19° in Gemini. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]
NOAA Forecast (Bad): precipitation potential 26%, sky cover 75%, relative humidity 92%, temperature 28C, heat index 34C, wind E 2 km/hr

Science Academy: "Historic Experiments II"
2024-07-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Von Guericke…Newton…Watt. These men unlocked the next pieces of the grand puzzle known as the physical world. Cadets will find out how the pieces fit! [For ages eight to twelve. $5 per EBR-Parish Cadet; $6 per other-Parish Cadet. Participation in Part One is not a prerequisite.]
To register, go to www.brec.org, access the registration function and use Activity Number 531990.

The Edge of Night (summer session)
2024-07-05 20:00 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
CANCELLED — HRPO will close by at least 9pm.
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.]
NOAA Forecast (Bad): precipitation potential 31%, sky cover 66%, relative humidity 82%, temperature 28C, heat index 33C, wind S 3 km/hr.

Solar Viewing
2024-07-03 11:45 - 14:45 | Highland Road Park Observatory
CANCELLED — NOAA has issued an Excessive Heat Warning lasting until 9pm. The NWS Heat Index Chart indicates “Danger” at this time.
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 Gemini at a maximum altitude of 83°. 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.]
NOAA Forecast (Fair): precipitation potential 35%, sky cover 35%, relative humidity 73%, temperature 33C, heat index 43C, wind SE 8 km/hr.

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-06-29 19:30 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
TRUNCATED — HRPO will close by at least 9:30pm.
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 (Poor): precipitation potential 17%, sky cover 68%, relative humidity 84%, temperature 29C, heat index 36C, wind S 4 km/hr.

STEM Expansion: "Living in Space"
2024-06-29 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. Participation in Part I is not a prerequisite.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-06-28 21:30 - 23:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
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.]

American Radio Relay League Field Day
2024-06-22 14:00 - 22:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
One section of the electromagnetic spectrum gets all the love, as tens of thousands of “hams” ascend to the radio waves with “phone” (voice) and CW (Morse) in this exciting contact contest that stretches from coast to coast! Get on the GOTA station and make your own contact! Ham radio is awesome for parents and kids alike. [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Science Academy: "Historic Experiments I"
2024-06-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
Archimedes…Galileo…Torricelli. These men unlocked the first pieces of the grand puzzle known as the physical world. Cadets will find out how the pieces fit! [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 Daylight Detour
2024-06-14 18:00 - 21:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
NOAA Air Quality Alert (until 12am CDT)
Whether it’s taking advantage of a prorated BRAS membership; getting the status of all current NASA, LSU and BREC plans; obtaining the latest information on asteroid Apophis; learning HRPO history or taking stock of which celestial events are on their way–this “alternate route” (mapped out due to Daylight Time) is your stop! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Baton Rouge Astronomical Society Meeting
2024-06-10 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.]

Light Pollution Committee Meeting
2024-06-10 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.]

Evening Sky Viewing
2024-06-08 20:30 - 23:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
NOAA Air Quality Alert (until 12am CDT)
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 23° in Gemini. 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 75%, temperature 28C, heat index 31C, wind S 3 km/hr Operator: Trey Anding of BRAS.

Science Academy: "Solar Maximum II"
2024-06-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The twenty-four months will see probably the great levels of sunspots, plage, flares and prominences for the next eight to fourteen years! Cadets will learn about Solar Cycle 25; sketch the Sun while viewing it in three different manners (include hydrogen-alpha wavelength); and learn about space missions that investigate the Sun. [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
2024-06-07 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 13° in Gemini. Please keep headlights off while parking and leaving. Drive slowly! [For ages six and older. No admission fee.]

Friday Night Lecture Series: "Wonders of the Summer Sky"
2024-06-07 19:30 - 20:30 | Highland Road Park Observatory
The temperature rises as summer’s constellations settle high overhead early in the night. BREC Education Program Specialist Amy Northrop takes the audience on a fascinating tour of Baton Rouge’s upcoming season. She highlights the celestial gems that will sparkle throughout the next three months–gems that visitors will be able to view live! [For ages fourteen and older. No admission fee.]
