planets

Wells Fargo bank employees lent Western Nevada College their helping hands last week to prepare its Jack C. Davis Observatory for the WNC Foundation’s ‘Reach for the Stars’ Black Tie Gala fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 20.

Washoe Lake State Park is offering a variety of events during the month of June, including an astronomy program with telescopes, a slide presentation about Washoe Lake, a campfire program and a full moon hike.

St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner and the celebrations have begun. The Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada has crafts and Irish dancers. Carson Lanes is hosting their annual Pot of Gold Tournament. The Downtown Reno Leprechaun Crawl is always a crazy time. Take a look at this weekend summary to find the fun for miles around.

SATURDAY:

The Northern Nevada Astronomical Group will conduct a star party and astronomy program at Washoe Lake State Park. There will be a short slide presentation and a variety of telescopes set up for viewing stars and planets. Participants should bring lawn chairs and a jacket since it will be cooler after dark. Red flashlights are recommended as they do not affect night vision.

Learn about the universe, the origin and development of humans on Earth, and the possibility of life on other planets, in two Western Nevada College astronomy classes offered his fall. Planetary Astronomy and Introduction to Astrobiology will offer the opportunity to learn from a scientist with ties to space industry.

Fort Churchill State Historic Park south of Silver Springs is offering a variety of programs during the month of July. Programs highlight the area’s rich history and abundant natural resources.

Stargazers can enjoy two guided tour events offered Friday and Saturday through Nevada State Parks.
The first is a laser-guided tour of starry wonders with professional stargazer Gigi Giles at Spooner Lake State Park.

Astronomy goers will be pleased with this unique and educational experience as they peer through the provided high powered telescopes and astronomical binoculars in the tranquil mountain air at an elevation of 7,000 feet.

Fort Churchill State Historic Park in Silver Springs is offering a variety of ranger-led programs during the month of May, highlighting the area’s rich history and abundant natural resources.

This morning, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means we are in for six more weeks of winter. While, in Carson City this means hope for a few more powder days in a very powder-light season, the east coast is less than happy by the news. Ultimately, it’s about one thing — perspective.

Enjoy the outdoors while experiencing the incredible views at Washoe Lake State Park this February. A variety of ranger-led hikes are scheduled to offer a unique view of one of Nevada’s remarkable parks. Don’t forget to pick up a Passport booklet.

Saturday evenings are stellar this summer at the Jack C. Davis Observatory of Western Nevada College. A series of free slide lectures will be offered through August 23. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. lectures.

On Saturday, July 26, John Dykes, a resident photographer, presents a lecture about the art of astrophotography. Dykes explains this process and shows many slides of his work.

Upcoming lectures include:

Saturday evenings will be stellar this summer at the Jack C. Davis Observatory of Western Nevada College. A series of free slide lectures will be offered, June 14 through August 23. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. lectures.

Mike Thomas will offer lectures on June 14, July 12, August 9 and August 23. John Dykes will offer a lecture on July 26. On all Saturday evenings, the observatory will continue its Saturday Star Parties featuring free telescope viewing at the Carson City location.

Lecture Topics include:

The main mass of a rare meteorite observed in the skies over Carson City, Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe that exploded over California’s Sierra foothills in April 2012 will be preserved for current and future scientific discoveries, thanks to the collaborative efforts of five U.S. academic institutions.

A fascinating and colorful exhibition of space photography is on display in Carson City at the Western Nevada College Main Art Gallery through August. 23. The collection contains several dozen large photographs of Earth’s moon, planets in our Solar System and their moons, and colorful nebulae.

A photograph of the Observatory under the night sky, taken over a 40-minute duration, offers a fascinating look at the movement of stars in the night sky.

By Mike Wolterbeek
RENO, Nev. – A new era of stargazing is beginning in Northern Nevada with the completion of the MacLean Observatory astronomy complex at the Redfield Campus of the University of Nevada, Reno.

“The gift of the MacLean telescope and dome in 2008 set a series of events in motion that has enabled us to build the complex and expand astronomy programs for the university, the community and for K-12 students,” Jeff Thompson, dean of the College of Science, said.

The idea of planets has evolved over its history, from the divine wandering stars of antiquity to the earthly objects of the scientific age. The concept has expanded to include worlds not only in the Solar System, but in hundreds of other extrasolar systems. The ambiguities inherent in defining planets have led to much scientific controversy.