Galilean Nights (2009 Oct 22-24)

posted: 961 days ago, on Tuesday, 2009 Sep 29 at 12:03
tags: astronomy, IYA, Galilean Nights, outreach.

For three days and three nights, astronomers world-wide will be sharing the heavens with the public in an international celebration of Galileo and the wonders his telescope revealed.

Die "Sterreaande van Galileo" is een van die hoeksteen projekte van die Internasionale Jaar van Sterrekunde (IYA 2009).

Data sheets and star map for the Galilean Nights

For each of the three evenings I've prepared a data sheet showing rise/set times etc. for the Sun, Moon and Jupiter. In addition, phenomena of the Galilean moons are tabulated and also illustrated. If you're hosting a public observing event, these sheets make useful cribnotes, crammed with answers to all the pesky questions you're likely to be asked.

A basic star map showing the brightest stars, and the position of the Moon for the three nights, is also included, as well as an extremely brief chronology of Galileo's life and works.

Since the Moon will be one of the observing targets, you may want to check out the EyePics 1: The Moon resource, which describes some of the prominent lunar features visible at this time.

Download the ZA resource

Galilean Nights (ZA) data sheets & star map (5 page PDF, 664 kB)

 

Events in South Africa

A comprehensive list of events world-wide is maintained on the official Galilean Nights website. In southern Africa, I know of the following:

Thursday, October 22

  1. Brackenfell Pick 'n Pay (Star Gazers Club; contact Edward 083 787 0792)
  2. University of Stellenbosch campus (Star Gazers Club; contact Auke 074 100 7237)
  3. University of Venda (Limpopo Astronomy Outreach; contact Kos 015 516 3110)

Friday, October 23

  1. Kleinmond (Star Gazers Club; contact Edward 083 787 0792)
  2. Strand beachfront, opposite Spur (Star Gazers Club; contact Auke 074 100 7237)
  3. Kirstenbosch Gardens (ASSA Cape Centre "Star Walk" 088 123 1634)
  4. CBC School Observatory, Pretoria (ASSA Pretoria Centre; contact Johan 072 806 2939)
  5. Makhado Crossing, Louis Trichardt (Limpopo Astronomy Outreach; contact Kos 015 516 3110)

Saturday, October 24

  1. The Braak, Stellenbosch (Star Gazers Club; contact Auke 074 100 7237)
  2. Paarl, Afrikaanse Taalmonument (OOG; contact Serena 082 729 2716)
  3. Makhado Crossing, Louis Trichardt (Limpopo Astronomy Outreach; contact Kos 015 516 3110)

Reports of events

Thursday, October 22

Friday, October 23

Saturday, October 24

Links to resources

Galilean Nights home page

Logo downloads

EyePics 1: The Moon

 comments

2009 September 30 at 11:53 by Pi

Once again the Psycohistorian has hit the jackpot! This information will be invaluable as hand-outs to keen stargazers who attend the glorious event. Salaams and may the force be with you!

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