Sidewalk observing, the heart of Astronomy magazine’s Discover the Universe program, is usually enough to keep an astronomy club busy during a fun outreach event. But if enough groups get together, it’s possible to feature a sidewalk star party as just one of many activities going on at a great astro event. Doug Kaupa of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) tells us more about a recent collaboration in Ohio:
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton, Ohio, was the site of a spectacular evening of astronomy education and outreach January 20. // All photos by Doug Kaupa
On January 20, at a local museum and not in a galaxy far, far away, a spectacular event kept the winter blues away — at least for one evening. Astronomers, engineers, scientists, and a large cast of volunteers convened at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton, Ohio, to share their knowledge and passion for the universe around us. Volunteers from the
local AIAA, the
Mars Society, the University of Dayton Astronomy Club, the Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers, and the
Miami Valley Astronomical Society (MVAS) joined the Boonshoft Astronomy Department to create an exceptional and memorable evening.
The various exhibits and demos provided a variety of activities for attendees. Those interested in the physics of space witnessed gravity demonstrations of the Sun, Moon, and planets, along with the momentum-exchange concepts used by satellites in orbit and other wonders from distant yet accessible worlds. Other presentations expanded guests’ awareness of the evening sky by highlighting the balmy weather on Venus and the dangers of frostbite on Pluto; calculating their weight on other planets and moons; demonstrating different angular sizes of the Sun from various planetary orbits; explaining how to build, launch, and aim the best homemade straw rockets; and detailing why astronaut suits are so bulky and heavy.
Young and old alike had a variety of activities to choose from, including interactive exhibits, scientific presentations, hands-on learning opportunities, and night-sky observing.
MVAS members shared their knowledge and taught visitors who brought their own telescopes how to set up, use, and enjoy their optical passport to the universe. In addition to the physical skygazing opportunities, we also had several spectacular handouts to encourage that feeling of cosmic awe. These included planetary trading cards, bookmarks, posters, and magazines donated by AIAA, NASA/Jet Propulsion Lab, Mars Society, and
Astronomy.
And as if these events weren’t enough, everyone enjoyed exquisite planetarium shows and getting hands-on experience by creating their own lunar craters and handling extraterrestrial specimens such as meteorites. More than 300 children and adults attended the two-hour event — a fantastic number of inquiring minds yearning for a better understanding of our cosmos. They learned that not all moons are round and gray, planets do not all have breathable atmospheres, and comets are more than just dirty, shedding snowballs.
The Discover the Universe program is all about helping clubs inspire people with the awesomeness of the heavens through outreach events like the one in Dayton.
Thanks to all the volunteers, all the clubs,
Astronomy magazine, and Boonshoft Museum for ensuring that the evening of astronomy was enjoyable for young and old alike!
That’s great to hear, Doug! You’re welcome; it’s our pleasure to help create such a varied and fantastic astronomical outreach event! If you want to know how Astronomy magazine’s Discover the Universe program can help your club, please email me at bandrews@astronomy.com.