Wichita State News: Lake Afton Public Observatory

Observatory presents 'Black Holes in Space'

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:40:00 CST

"Black Holes in Space" will be one of the programs presented by the Lake Afton Public Observatory from May through August.

And there will be a special opportunity to participate in the program on Mother's Day weekend. Bring your mom or grandma 9-11 p.m. May 10 or 11, and they will get in free when accompanied by a paying child.

Visit the observatory to learn how astronomers expose the mysteries surrounding these massive gravity wells even though they cannot be directly observed.

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See comet this month at public observatory

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 14:53:00 CST

A new comet called PanSTARRS is visiting the inner solar system and will be visible to the unaided eye from mid- to late March.

PanSTARRS will make its closest approach to the sun on Sunday, March 10, after which it will brighten and become visible to observers in the northern hemisphere as it begins its return trip to the outer reaches of the solar system. It is estimated that it will reach its brightest during the week of March 11-17, when it will be visible to the unaided eye.

For this special occasion, the Lake Afton Public Observatory will have two programs to observe Comet PanSTARRS from 7:20-8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, March 12 and 13.

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Observatory holding winter programs

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:14:00 CST

The Lake Afton Public Observatory presents "Life Story of a Star."

During this program, visitors will use the observatory's 16-inch telescope to take a look at objects in the night sky that are representative of the various stages in a star's life cycle.

Visitors will have the opportunity to observe Jupiter, which some people consider a "failed" star, a cluster of newly born stars, a binary star, and a nebula.

"Life Story of a Star" will be presented Jan. 4-5 and 11-12; Feb. 1-2 and 8-9; March 1-2, 8-9 and 29-30; April 5-6, 12-13 and 26-27.

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Observatory hosting telescope fair

Tue, 6 Nov 2012 12:29:00 CST

The Lake Afton Public Observatory and the Kansas Astronomical Observers will host a telescope fair from 7:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at the observatory.

The observatory will also present its regularly scheduled program that evening, "Universe of the 1920s – Deep Sky Theme."

The event is also from 7:30-10 p.m.

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Public observatory hosting Astronomy Day

Mon, 8 Oct 2012 08:00:00 CST

Astronomy Day at the Lake Afton Public Observatory is coming up Saturday, Oct. 20, so get ready for an educational and fun-filled afternoon of activities and contests followed by an exciting evening of stargazing.

The event is free and open to the public.

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Native American Storytelling under the stars

Mon, 1 Oct 2012 11:10:00 CST

The North American plains tribes had constellations, stars and legends unique to their culture just as the Greeks and Romans did. Hear some of the sacred star stories Native American tribes told, and learn how the night skies influenced tribal life.

The Native American Storytelling program starts at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, in the field to the west of the Lake Afton Public Observatory building.

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Native American Storytelling at public observatory

Wed, 5 Sep 2012 10:56:00 CST

The North American plains tribes had constellations, stars and legends unique to their culture just as the Greeks and Romans did.

Hear some of the many wonderful sacred star stories Native American tribes told and learn how the night skies influenced tribal life during the "Native American Storytelling" program at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, in the field to the west of the Lake Afton Public Observatory.

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Treat your grandparents with a visit to the observatory

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 14:31:00 CST

Do you remember all of the wonderful things your grandparents did for you over the years?

Return the favor, and bring them to the Lake Afton Public Observatory for Grandparents Weekend. Grandparent get in for free when accompanied by a paying grandchild. (Limit of one free grandparent admission for each paying grandchild.)

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'The Universe of the 1920s' at public observatory

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:45:00 CST

In the 1920s, our universe was perceived very differently than it is today.

Visit the Lake Afton Public Observatory this fall for their Universe of the 1920s programs.

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Learn how to use your telescope

Tue, 7 Aug 2012 13:30:00 CST

So you have a telescope but you haven't figured out how to get the most out of it yet?

The Lake Afton Public Observatory and the Kansas Astronomical Observers invite the public to bring their telescopes to the observatory for one or more "Bring Your Own Telescope" events this summer. The next Bring Your Own Telescope night will be Friday, Aug. 17.

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See the Perseid meteor shower at public observatory

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:13:00 CST

As the month of August begins, you may begin to notice more shooting stars than usual streaking across the night sky appearing to come out of the constellation Perseus.

The meteor shower activity will peak during the early morning hours of Monday, Aug. 13. In the dark skies of outlying areas around Wichita or other Kansas cities, peak activity should reveal as many as 30 to 60 meteors an hour -- an average of one meteor every minute or two.

For this special event, the Lake Afton Public Observatory will be open from 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, to 2 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13.

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Learn how to use your telescope from the pros

Mon, 9 Jul 2012 10:50:00 CST

So you have a telescope but you haven't figured out how to get the most out of it yet?

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Special Father's Day weekend at the observatory

Tue, 5 Jun 2012 12:28:00 CST

Give your dad the gift of viewing Saturn and its beautiful rings for Father's Day.

In honor of fathers everywhere, the Lake Afton Public Observatory is featuring a Father's Day weekend special Friday, June 15, and Saturday, June 16.

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Telescope night at public observatory June 15

Mon, 4 Jun 2012 13:14:00 CST

The Lake Afton Public Observatory and the Kansas Astronomical Observers (KAO) are hosting "Bring Your Own Telescope" night Friday, June 15.

Members of the KAO will be on hand to help you learn how to take full advantage of your telescope's capabilities. Bring your telescope to the observing pad behind (north of) the observatory building where KAO members will be waiting to assist you.

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'Sizing up Saturn' at public observatory

Thu, 17 May 2012 09:28:00 CST

Saturn is a wonder to behold through a telescope.

It, along with the craters and smooth plains of our nearest neighbor, the moon and a distant star with its own planets, will be featured in Lake Afton Public Observatory's program "Sizing up Saturn."

The program will be presented on Friday and Saturday evenings, June 1-2, 22-23 and 29-30; July 27-28; and Aug. 24-25 and 31-Sept. 1.

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