2009 Observing Season and Open Houses at Jacobsen Observatory
Reservations are strongly recommended for the talks as the TJO classroom holds only 40 people. All visitors are welcome to come and tour the observatory and view the night sky if clear. The Seattle Astronomical Society members will be on hand to answer questions.
- September 16 - 9 to 11 pm Open House
9:10 pm - Various volunteers - "Learn all about using a Star and Planet Locator" - We will be giving away Edmund
Scientific Star and Planet Locators to the first 55 people who attend this "presentation." Our TJO volunteers and Dr.
Ana Larson will be helping visitors work through an actual exercise we use to teach undergraduates how to use this simple tool
for finding stars and constellations and "what's up" in the nightsky. We expect the lesson to last about 30 minutes and
then we will all venture outside and put our newly found knowledge into practice.
- October 7 - 7 to 9 pm Open House
7:10 pm - Dr. Ana Larson - "TOYS IN SPACE: Exploring Science with the
Astronauts" - Motion toys are effective tools for helping children learn science and mathematics. Scientific and mathematical principles make these toys work. For example, wind-up toys convert stored potential energy in their springs into kinetic energy as the springs unwind. Gravity often plays an important role in the actions of toys, but how would the same toys function in an environment where the effects of gravity are not felt? The Space Shuttle provides such a setting so students can discover the answer to this question. We will explore Newton's laws of motion, gravity, and conservation laws by first playing with the toys and hypothesizing how each one would behave in the microgravity of the space shuttle in orbit around the Earth. We'll then watch astronauts test the hypotheses by watching a video to see what actually happened in space. Activities are especially suitable for students in the 3 - 6 grades. SORRY, this activity is full.
- October 21 - 7 to 9 pm Open House 7:10 pm - Phil Rosenfield - "Jupiter and the
latest discoveries in exoplanets" - Phil is our director of the planetarium on campus. He will be discussing Jupiter (which will
still be nicely placed for viewing in the night sky) and relating our giant planet to the giant planets found around other stars.
- November 4 - 7 to 9 pm Open House 7:10 pm - The Solar System and Space Travel - this will be our last open
house of the season. Topic not yet determined. Look for us again for the first Wednesday of March, 2010! (SORRY, the talk is full.)
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