Astronomy Festival at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park

Telescopes, Exhibits, Fun!


Saturday, May 10th   3pm to 9pm
 Brandi Fenton Memorial Park Ramada A


Interactive Exhibits 3pm to 7pm       Telescope Clinic 3pm to 5pm

Sun Viewing 3pm to 6:30pm       Night Sky Observing 7:30 to 9pm

Kid-Friendly Telescope Presentation 7 to 8pm

“A Walk around the Night Sky” Presentation begins at 8pm


No charge for any  activities.

You're invited to join us the following Saturday evening, May 17th, at our dark sky observing site where you'll see many more stars. Navigate to that event for details. Maps to the site will be available on May 10th.
 

Date: Saturday, 5/10/2014

Time: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM Mountain

Location: Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 East River Road, Tucson, AZ

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  • Sunset Image
    Sunset: 7:12 PM
  • Waxing Gibbous
    Moon
  • Sky Chart - click to enlarge
    What's in the Sky this evening?

Information for Visitors:

Additional Information
Interactive Exhibits
What is a black hole and how is it created?  What is the Sun made of?  Learn answers to these and other questions as you take part in interactive exhibits.  TAAA members will guide you through these discoveries between 3pm and 7pm on May 10th.  These exhibits are suitable for kids and adults.

Telescope Viewing
Views of the sun will be offered beginning at 3pm and will continue until about 6:30pm.  After sunset, the moon will dominate the sky and be joined by Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.  These are easily visible to the unaided eye and even more impressive through telescopes.  Night viewing will continue until 9pm.

Kid-Friendly Telescope Presentation
Kids will be able to identify parts of a telescope and what each part does. They'll learn how the telescope moves across the sky and how to use the telescope to locate an object. Then, they'll be in the driver's seat as they get a chance to move the telescope to a target like the moon. The kids will learn as a group from 7pm to 7:30pm. They will then take turns over the next 30 minutes pointing the telescope. After operating the telescope, they recieve a commemorative "Amateur Telescope Operator" card to show their friends. Please have your child present at 7pm. The program will be offered a second time if time permits.

Evening Presentation
At 8pm, the presentation “A Walk around the Night Sky” will be given by the Vice President of the TAAA.  Listeners will learn about constellations with a multi-cultural focus.  Greek, Native American, Mediterranean, North African, and Egyptian lore will be used to contrast various cultural interpretations of the night sky.  Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to sit on during this 20 minute presentation.

Telescope Clinic
Do you own a telescope and want to learn how to use it?  If so, bring it to Brandi Fenton Memorial Park on May 10th.  If all the parts are in working order, we’ll be able to give you guidance in using it.  To take full advantage of this opportunity, we ask that you arrive with your telescope no later than 5pm.  It’s always easier to set up a telescope while the sun is still above the horizon.

Astronomy Festival Flyer (PDF, 469 KB)

Printer friendly version of Festival Flyer (PDF, 133 KB)

Location Details

Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
North Tucson - where Alvernon meets River Road

3482 East River Road

Tucson, AZ

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