CAD Banner

Participants | 2011 Schedule | Media Info | 2010 Photos | Proclamation

A daytime view of Venus was a highlight of a recent CAD in Denver (at DMNS)
Photo: Ron Pearson, DAS

Colorado professional and amateur astronomers will again be celebrating Colorado and National Astronomy Day in 2011 with a full day of astronomy exhibits, demonstrations, presentations, and observing activities at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS) and the University of Denver’s Historic Chamberlin Observatory.

Starting at 10am Saturday, Denver Astronomical Society solar astronomers will set-up on the west patio of DMNS provided museum visitors with safe views of the Sun in White, Hydrogen Alpha (deep-red) and Calcium K (deep purple) spectral colors of the Sun. Hopefully the Sun and Earth's weather will cooperate and allow visitors to view sunspot groups, huge prominences -– many times the size of Earth -- and other changing features visible on the nearest star. John Anderson's solar spectroscope will enable viewing the entire spectrum of light and elements in the Sun. DAS members and museum volunteers will provide an information table in the DMNS Space Odyssey space to answer questions about Astronomy, telescopes and local astronomy activities. DAS members and DMNS curators will presented a series of “How-To” talks in the Space Odyssey theatre on topics for amateur astronomers, from novice to expert.

The currently scheduled DAS talks are listed below. See the full schedule HERE.

  • "Binoculars: Your Best First Telescope" with a lunar theme - Norm Rosling, DAS

  • "Geology of the Moon from Latest Investigations" - Neil Pearson, CSM-DAS-USGS student

  • "Meteorites - A Lunar Connection?" - Ron Hranac, DAS

In the evening of October 1st the action will move to the University of Denver's Historic Chamberlin Observatory in Observatory Park. DAS volunteers will provide displays and informative lectures inside the observatory. Several dozen DAS members will set up their telescopes for public observing of the night sky on the south lawn of the park. DAS members also will operate the DU 117-year-old Clark-Saegmuller Telescope for public observing of the Moon and king of the planets, Jupiter, as well as other stars or star clusters.

Click HERE to view a photo album of 2010 Colorado Astronomy Day activities.

Colorado Astronomy Day was established by governor’s proclamation in 1997 and it has been observed as a major public outreach and education event during the months of September or October ever since. These activities are coordinated with the Astronomical League's Fall National Astronomy Day.

Highlights of Colorado Astronomy Day Activities:

Informative presentations, Solar Observing, and interactive exhibits at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (10 am to 4 pm) (Museum hours 9 am - 5 pm)
Presentations, exhibits, and nighttime astronomical observing hosted by DAS and the University of Denver at the DU's Historic Chamberlin Observatory (7 pm to 11 pm), conducted by DU staff and members of the Denver Astronomical Society
   

PARTICIPANTS

The following Colorado Organizations participated in Colorado Astronomy Day Activities:

 

 

Web Site produced and sponsored for CAD by the
Denver Astronomical Society


www.denverastro.org