Public Invited to Observe Sun, Planets

In commemoration of International Sidewalk Astronomy Night (and Day!), The Southern Vermont Astronomy Group (SoVerA) will host a Public "Sun + Star Party" on "The Green" in Chester, Vermont from 6:00 - 11:00PM on the afternoon of Saturday, 19 May. This event is free to persons of all ages and experience.

The public will be invited to look at the nearest star, "Sol" (our Sun), using a safe, filtered telescope starting in the late afternoon. If there are any sun spots (there usually are) viewers will easily be able to see them through the telescope. (Never look at the sun — with naked eye or a telescope — without appropriate solar filters! Eye damage can be permanent!)

As the evening approaches, the Moon, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter will all be visible. Some stars that we now believe have planets orbiting them will also be viewed.

Members of SoVerA will be on hand to answer your questions and conduct small demonstrations of how things in the universe work. Telescopes and binoculars will be set up for public viewing. It is asked that those who bring pets and young children please be responsible for them and keep them close at hand.

SoVerA is an organization composed of amateur and professional astronomers, educators, students and members of the lay public. They are dedicated to making astronomy much more accessible to all. Beyond astronomical events, talks and presentations are held in venues throughout the southern Vermont region on the third Thursday of every month, with observing afterwards. This event is dependent on the sky, of course, and will be held if it is partly cloudy or better. SoVerA is participating in this event along with many other astronomy groups, worldwide and locally, including the Springfield Telescope Makers, who will be holding a similar event in Springfield on the same evening. More information may be found at: http://www.sovera.org/ and at the main web site for the International Sidewalk Astronomy Night: http://www.sidewalkastronomynight.com/ or by calling SoVerA President, Claudio Veliz, at 802-824-3564.