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starparty-aug2018.

Observatory and Planetarium Star Party

  POSTED ON: Monday, August 6, 2018 12:00 AM by Rachel Fees

On August 6, 2018, about 140 adults and children attended the Observatory and Planetarium Star Party, a collaborative event between the USNA Physics Department, Astronomy Club, alumni, and the STEM Center for Education and Outreach.

Two planetarium sessions were run by STEM Instructor Rachel Fees who led USNA faculty, staff, and their families on a tour of the night time sky. Hands-on STEM activities including straw rockets, robotic arms, spinning tops, gravity demonstrations, and calculator robots were led by STEM Center interns Emma Houck and Noelle Ray, ENS Jennifer Hedgecoth, and Professors Angie Moran, Sarah Durkin, and Christine Maceo. 

After the planetarium program, participants headed to the Class of ’41 Observatory, home of the historic Alvan Clark 7.75” refracting telescope. Captain John Higbee, USNA ’74 alumnus, and members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (Chris Kagy, Paul Hueper, Dave Komar, Pat Warfle, Carol Higbee, Cathy Bunge, and Bob Bunge) operated seven telescopes for guests to observe celestial objects like Jupiter and Saturn.  

Event Photos


Category: General Interest

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