(EASTHAM, MA) "Bring your family and join us for our first full-day event dedicated to bringing recognition and celebration to the night sky on the Cape." states the Cape Cod National Seashore, inviting you to their first Dark Sky Festival. The event is being held for one day only on Saturday, September 24th, in partnership with the Cape Cod Astronomical Society.
"This day will feature guest presentations from astronomers, enthusiasts, and rangers at the Salt Pond Visitor Center followed by a Star Party at Marconi Beach Parking Lot at 7:30–10 pm!" - Dark Sky Festival Event Details
The Cape Cod Astronomical Society is "a group of amateur astronomers who enjoy both looking at the beauty of the night sky and teaching others about it." They meet monthly to share ideas and their observing experiences. The Cape Cod Astronomical Society also sponsors events, such as the Dark Sky Festival, to share their enthusiasm for astronomy and science with the public.
Dark Sky Festival Event Schedule
- 10 am: “The Space of Space” - 30 min. Space takes up a lot of space! How much space? Let’s discover just how big things are when we scale them down.
- 11 am: “Crafting the Constellations” - 30 min. This kids’ interactive arts and crafts activity will teach everyone how to reuse common materials to create their own constellation projector to take home!
- 12 pm: “Star Storytelling” - 30 min. For generations, people everywhere have looked up at the stars with imagination and wonder. Join us to understand some myths, legends, and folklore inspired by the stars.
- 1 pm: “Recent Solar System Exploration” - 1 hr. Dr. Jim Head, while serving at NASA Headquarters, participated in the selection of landing sites, training astronaut crews in geology and surface exploration, planning experiments to be deployed on the Moon, mission operations in Houston during lunar surface exploration, and analysis of the lunar samples returned by the Astronauts. Join Jim as he leads you through the past, present, and future of the “Space Age Century”.
- 2 pm: “The Astronomer’s Disappearing Sky” - 1 hr. Dr. Larry Marschall, a professor of physics, has taught astronomy, physics, and science writing for over 43 years. Tens of thousands of satellites have been launched into orbit around Earth. Join Larry to explore the impacts of satellites on how we experience the night sky.
- 3 pm: “A Brief Overview of Amateur Astronomy” - 1 hr. Dr. James Lynch currently holds the position of Senior Scientist Emeritus at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Amateur astronomy has evolved greatly over the years making it an accessible hobby for many people. Join Jim to learn about what amateur astronomy is all about, what equipment is needed to view and photograph the sky, and what organizations and resources exist.
- 4 pm: “Astrophotography for Amateurs” - 1 hr. Dr. Mike Hunter has been an active amateur astronomer since 1957. He specializes in observations and the design and construction of equipment and facilities. Using telescopes and cameras together, Mike will lead you through how to experience and capture an evening filled with stars.
- 7:30-10 pm: "Star Party at Marconi Beach Parking Lot" Join members of the Cape Cod Astronomical Society for a tour of the night sky through their telescopes and equipment! The event starts at 7:30 pm and ends at 10 pm. Drop by anytime! Bring a flashlight. Dim your headlights when you enter the parking lot.
Dark Sky Festival Event Details
- WHERE: Salt Pond Visitors Center (50 Doane St., Eastham, MA)
- WHEN: Saturday, September 24, 2022
- TIME: 10 AM - 10 PM
- The rain date is Sunday, September 25.
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