Event

The theme will be meteor and meteorites.  HAS will have at least 5 astronmers and 10 telescopes which is doable with 100 kids. SInce we do not have any meteorite we will display the following clips on my laptops:

For younger kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBFfBz0n_SE

For High school level students and adults: Asteroids: Crash Course Astronomy #20

In the meantime, teachers may appreciate the lesson plans offered by the Lunar and Planetary Institute near me: Educator Resources - Exploring the Solar System - Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors

Finally, scientifically inclined adults will like the Astrum summary of the OSIRIS-Rex mission: What NASA Unexpectedly Discovered When They Opened the Bennu Sample just skip the commercial at the end.

We like to give attendees something tangible to remember the outreach by.  So, I sent the organizer material that I suggest the school duplicates for the kids. Of course I will also have the beautiful NASA pictures from space telescopes courtesy of NSN.

As discussed, it would be good to introduce all to the wonderful free planetarium software Stellarium https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ei6h5chyUg before the observing session. I will need 15mn just before observing (after main talk). Sunset is around 5:30PM, Saturn will be clearly visible at 6:30PM. Jupiter rises in the ENE around 10:30PM, too late for the kids. There will be no moon. Unfortunately, the  Draconids meteor shower was in October and the Orionids are peaking right now. We may catch a couple of late Orionids in November 14 if we are really lucky.

Date: Friday, November 14, 2025

Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Central

Information for Visitors

Event Report

Comments and anecdotes about the event:
Event was overplaned with the leader organizing one team per scope. In practice, kids and parents went from one to the other. Only trouble was cloudy skies. Donated scope was a hit.
Photo From Barbara Bush Nature Center
Before going out on the field, meteorite talk by Bill Spizzirri
Photo From Barbara Bush Nature Center
Talking with the kids

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat 4/11/2026
6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Central
STEP In The Park Rustic Oaks Park
5101 Orange Blossom Ct.
League City, TX
Sat 4/11/2026
6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Central
An evening under the stars John Paul Landing Park
24202 West Rd.
Cypress, TX
Sat 4/25/2026
6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Central
Barbara Bush Nature Center Barbara Bush elementary
13800 Westerloch Dr, Houston, TX 77077
Houston, TX
Sat 5/9/2026
6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Central
An evening under the stars John Paul Landing Park
24202 West Rd.
Cypress, TX