Published: March 24, 2009 08:51 pm      

‘International Astronomy Day’ events planned

From Staff Reports



Navarro College’s Cook Center planetarium will celebrate “International Astronomy Day” at 7 p.m. April 4 with a free presentation of “The Stars Over Texas.” This 45-minute, live star show will be presented by planetarium director Bruce Brazell. During the presentation, Brazell will use the planetarium’s Digistar II projector to take you on a tour of the spring and summer stars and constellations. He will also discuss the current planet positions and updates on current and upcoming NASA missions. This program will be suitable for the entire family, but it is not recommended for children under 5 years old due to the extreme darkness of the planetarium environment. Seating will be limited to the first 200 attendants — no reservations.

Following the free star show at The Cook Center planetarium, the celebration of “Astronomy Day” will continue with a free star party at the Hubbard City Lakes Park in Hubbard. Mike Green, an avid amateur astronomer and telescope builder who organizes star parties at the Hubbard City Lakes Park each month, will have several of his homemade telescopes set up during the observation session, which will begin at sunset and last until 10 p.m. In addition to Green, several volunteers will also be on hand with telescopes to provide the public with views of Saturn and other celestial wonders. The Hubbard City Lakes Park is located two miles west of the city of Hubbard on State Highway 31, and the star party will be set up at the pavilion parking lot.

For more information on events scheduled for “International Astronomy Day,” contact planetarium director Bruce Brazell at (903) 875-7529 or bruce.brazell@navarrocollege.edu. For additional information on the free star party at the Hubbard City Lakes Park, contact Mike Green at (254) 576-2838 or mlgreen777@hillsboro.net.