18th Annual
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMY DAY
18 May 2024 Schedule
SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
5pm to 8pm = CELESTIAL PERIPHERALS [Canopies]
Baton Rouge Gem and Mineral Society = noting which are the most valuable, which are the rarest and which are the most difficult to obtain
Baton Rouge Geological Society = investigating all portions of the strata.
Baton Rouge Zoo = bringing plenty of animals—do any them correspond to the constellations?
Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center = showcasing “alien” plant species and the possibility of plants on other planets
BREC Art Program = reminding us that artists are essential to promoting space exploration and the possible mysteries we may solve
EBR Mosquito Abatement = collaborating with us to keep the creepy-crawlies off during skygazing
5:15pm to 7:15pm = RIDING THE RADIO WAVES [Radio Telescope]
The Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club will teach patrons to send their names in Morse Code, explain the household benefit of the Amateur
Radio Service and invite them to study for the upcoming test and become Baton Rouge’s next “hams”!
5pm to 8pm = BOOKMOBILE [Loading Zone]
The East Baton Rouge Parish Library presents the fantastic books and other resources for amateur astronomers—and a treat or two for the kids.
5pm to 5:45pm = ROCKET RANGE #1: Estes Mosquito [launch location to be announced]
HRPO personnel will take bids for the launch and ownership of an incredible Mosquito. Maximum launch height, 244 meters. Launch at 5:50pm. Bidder must be at least eighteen. Launcher must be at least eight.
6pm to 7:30pm = WATER ROCKET LAUNCH [near Pavilion)
For as many as possible during these ninety minutes a series of splashy launches will occur on the west side of the pavilion. Kid must bring own empty two-liter carbonated bottle. Patrons must stand at a distance as directed by staff.
6pm to 10pm = VIEWING: Waxing Gibbous Moon [Front Viewing Pad/ Back Viewing Pad]
During this time our closest celestial companion will have its apparent tone change from sky blue to grays and purples. It will be in Gemini. Personal binoculars recommended after 8pm. Distance 398,000 kilometers.
7pm to 7:45pm = ROCKET RANGE #2: Estes Mosquito [launch location to be announced]
HRPO personnel will take bids for the launch and ownership of an incredible Mosquito. Maximum launch height, 244 meters. Launch at 7:50pm. Bidder must be at least eighteen. Launcher must be at least eight.
periodically from 7:45pm to 9:45pm = VIEWING: Lunar Landscape [Large Dome]
Compare what you’ve seen of our only satellite so far (in the scopes on the viewing pads) with the magnificent “in-flight” view of the terrain of the Moon—with all the craters big and small, flooded areas, bright spots and streaking rays. LSU Professor Matthew Penny is your guide! Patrons must sign up for this viewing at the front desk.
8pm to 8:30pm = SEARCH: Crepuscular Rays [all outside locations]
Broken clouds, positioned correctly during sunset, can create a beautiful phenomenon of alternating rays of light and shadow. Could we be so lucky?
8pm to 10pm = PHYSICAL SCIENCE DEMONSTRATIONS [Main Floor]
Over a half-dozen randomly-selected items from HRPO’s amazing collection of demos focusing on optics, chemical changes, sound and magnetism will be spread out like a buffet. (The demos are different every single month, so show up for ARRL Field Day on 22 June!)
8:15pm to 8:45pm = TWILIGHT SKY TOUR [Back Viewing Pad]
The denizens of the mid-spring sky appeal to young and old, and you may learn more about them than you thought you could!
9:25pm to 9:30pm = VISIBLE PASS: An H-IIA 202 Rocket Body [all outside locations]
It launched for Tanegishima in August 2001. We can see it? Yes, when it reflects enough sunlight down to our eyes, while simultaneously the sky is dark enough to provide contrast. Distance, an almost-able-to-touch 504 kilometers.
9:30pm to 10pm = LUNAR TOUR [Back Viewing Pad]
With magnifications of 10x to 50x, patrons will spy craters and other majestic forms on our solitary satellite.
9:45pm to 11pm = METEOR HUNTING [south of Viewing Pads]
Laying on a tarp or lawn chair or sleeping bag brought from home, patrons will be encouraged to focus intently on the northeastern sky to spy any streaks zipping through the constellations. One major and one minor meteor shower are in progress right now, and a couple of fireballs have been seen locally in the past few weeks. You never know what you’ll catch happening if you keep looking up!
10pm to 10:30pm = EVENING SKY TOUR [Back Viewing Pad]
Leo, Ursa Major, Coma Berenices and Virgo are the cast of characters in an informative and fun recitation of stellar stories.