Free and open to the public, the Gustavus event will feature a range of indoor activities for all ages and the Olin Hall Observatory will host a viewing of the waxing gibbous Moon through a variety of telescopes and binoculars with the hopes of identifying general features and locating specific sites on the Moon. Fair weather will also allow viewers to catch a view of Saturn before it sets at about 8:15 p.m., as well as view a variety of deep sky objects such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies. Indoor activities include:
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- Reading Corner: Join us for readings from children’s books about the Moon
- Moon Coloring Puzzle: Create a colorful, community portrait of the Moon
- Hide and Seek Moon: Find images of animals on Moon poster with binoculars
- Sizing Up the Moon: Create a model of the relative sizes of the Moon and Earth and distance between them
- Moon Jump: Compare the difference between gravity on the Earth and the Moon by measuring the height of your vertical jump
- Discover an Exoplanet: Use tools to visualize data and model how a star’s light dims as a planet transits in front of it
- Ice Zones: Where we look for ice
In the event attendees are not able to view the sky due to weather, Gustavus physics students and faculty will share a presentation on the Moon and Planets in Olin Hall 103 (on the first floor) at 7:15 and 8:30 p.m.
To learn more about the Gustavus Star Party, including map and parking information, visit the event website. The event is being held as part of the Bell Museum’s Statewide Star Party, which consists of a series of astronomy gatherings across Minnesota from November 8-11.
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