View Night Sky In The Park Monday
Join Park Ranger Kip Woolford and other regional astronomers/photographers on Monday, Oct. 19, for an overnight visit and viewing of the night sky at Chinde Point picnic area in Petrified Forest National Park. Overnight camping is permitted, but participants must arrive in the park prior to park closing at 6 p.m. Mountain Standard/Pacific Daylight Time. An RSVP is required no later than 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Sunday, Oct. 18, for all RV’s and trailers to Woolford by phone at (928) 524-6228, ext. 273, or email at kip_woolford@nps.gov.
Dr. Behers is an astronomer with Project Astro, which is funded in part by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), in Tucson, whose goal is education. NOAO has developed models for explaining the seasons, moon phases, solar system size, mythology legends and has a simple way to model gravity, which leads on to Black Holes, Mass, the Higgs Boson, Dark Matter and so forth. For the last five years, Behers has been working with a team from Uppsala University in Sweden to discover ways to use specific bacteria in agricultural areas with drought issues. With his background in science and technology, Behers has spent a lot of time in schools at all grades, as well as serving as a merit badge counselor for the astronomy merit badge for the Boy Scouts of America.
Behers will conduct interpretative programs with participants at this night sky event. The schedule includes:
* 5:30 to 6:15 p.m., the sunset is at 5:47 p.m. Bring binoculars to watch for the “green rim” and the “green flash.” Why is the sky blue? Why can’t we see the stars in the daytime? Can we see Earth’s shadow?
* 7:40 to 8 p.m., Lunar Phases and Eclipses. Why is the moon in a different place each night and a different shape? Why do we always see the same side of the moon? Why is a total lunar eclipse red? What is a Supermoon?
* 8:30 to 8:50 p.m., the Reason for the Seasons/Saving the Night Sky. Why is it hot in the summer and cold in the winter? Light pollution–what happens if we can no longer see the Milky Way, that beautiful ribbon of light?
* 9:30 to 9:50 p.m., What is Gravity? Why do the moon and planets move the way they do?
* 10:30 to 10:50 p.m., Constellations/Mythology. Of the 88 constellations, 87 are myths, and only one is based on ancient history.
Events will include stargazing and Jr. Ranger Night Explorer kids’ activities. Night sky photographers are welcome, as well. Night sky astro-photographer and 2014 artist-in-resident Brent Schoenfeld will be available on site to assist with questions about the methods for astro-photography.
Overnight camping is not required, but once you leave the park you will not be allowed back into it. There are restrooms and picnic tables on-site, but no R.V. hook-ups or showers. R.V.s and trailers are welcome up to a 10-vehicle maximum on a first come, first served basis. Open fires are prohibited. Make sure to bring plenty of water and food. Headlamps, flashlight (red gel filter to preserve night sight during sky observation), warm clothing and closed-toed shoes are recommended.
This activity is free and open to the public, though regular park entrance fees apply.
For more information, contact Woolford at (928) 524-6228, ext. 273, or kip_woolford@nps.gov, or inquire online at http://www.nps.gov/pefo, https://www.facebook.com/PetrifiedForestNPS or https://twitter.com/PetrifiedNPS.
Martha’s Butte Night Sky, July 2015
