Q: Is Astronomy Day designated around some special event in the night sky? What is going on Saturday?
A: There is no special astronomical event but there is one fantastic planet (Saturn) and the moon is visible, along with the Big Dipper and other objects and constellations. Saturn is visible overhead by 7:45 p.m. and its rings are almost edge-on. Astronomy Day occurs sometime between mid-April and mid-May on a Saturday near the first quarter moon. You can celebrate Astronomy Day at Flandrau from 3 to 10 p.m. with the National Sharing the Sky Foundation Star Party. Offerings include free handouts, free safe views of the sun during the day, evening views of the moon and night sky along with a raffle for foundation donors (a Celestron 70mm telescope in addition to many other items). For more information, see the Flandrau Web site, Astronomy section, for a link.
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On the Web
Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium: www.flandrau.org