Naperville group celebrating International Year of Astronomy

Taking just one day to celebrate the exploration of space couldn't possibly be enough for members of the Naperville Astronomical Association.

Even the International Year of Astronomy, designated to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Galileo first studying the sky with a telescope, doesn't come close for members.

"From our point of view, every year is astronomy year," said Drew Carhart, founding member of the association, a 200-member group that aspires to inform the public about astronomy and help people pursue it as a hobby.

They'll use this occasion to host A Day of Astronomy on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Ogden Ave., Aurora.

The event includes day and night solar observations through telescopes set up near the planetarium on Waubonsie's west side; sky shows in the planetarium; discussions and lectures; and raffles and prizes.

While this year's events aren't rare for the organization, members say they're excited to share their knowledge.

"We're very much rewarded by how interested people are," Carhart said. "People are universally delighted to look through our telescopes and see what's up there. We're enjoying seeing all of the events that groups around the world are putting on."

People of all ages are welcome at the free event that begins at noon in the Waubonsie auditorium with a welcome and discussion about the International Year of Astronomy led by association President Steve Miller

Day observations take place from noon to 3 p.m. Sky shows take place in the planetarium from 5 to 5:50 p.m. and 7 to 7:45 p.m. Night observations take place from 8 to 11 p.m.

Several lectures will be offered throughout the day:

• Michelle Nichols of the Adler Planetarium will lead a discussion from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. about the exploration of the moon by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which is scheduled to land on a crater on the moon's South Pole on Oct. 9.

• Richard Kron, of the University of Chicago and Fermilab, will discuss the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which has obtained deep images of a quarter of the night sky.

• Dan Hooper of Fermilab will talk from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. about dark energy and dark matter.

• You can learn how to choose your first telescope from 6 to 6:45 p.m. in a classroom near the planetarium with NAA members Steve Miller and Jim Hopkins.

• Learn how telescopes work from 6 to 6:30 p.m. in the planetarium.

If people get lucky, they may be able to glimpse Jupiter - specifically the four moons of Jupiter, a couple of bands and possibly the great red spot, said Joe Kubal, NAA member from Naperville.

Observations through the telescope are at the mercy of the weather, he said.

Additionally, there will be exhibits in the auditorium lobby presented by the Naperville Astronomic Association, Adler Planetarium, SciTech Science Center, Fermilab and the Illinois Coalition for Responsible Outdoor Lighting.

Raffles and prizes include free subscriptions to Sky & Telescope and Astronomy magazines; free admission tickets to Adler Planetarium, and a copy of Sky & Telescope's pocket atlas.

"We're hoping a lot of people are attracted, especially families," Carhart said. "We hope people want to encourage their kids to an interest in stargazing and enjoy the hobby."

For information, visit naperastro.org.

<p class="factboxtext12col">What: A Day of Astronomy</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">When: Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">Where: Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Ogden Ave., Aurora</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">Cost: Free</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">Info: www.naperastro.org</p>