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Star Parties are BACK for 2019 at the Open Space Visitor Center

Popular event series with the Albuquerque Astronomical Society kicks off its 2019 season

New Mexico skies are big and breathtaking, and at CABQ’s Open Space Visitor Center Star Parties, Burqueños can connect with the cosmos alongside local astronomy experts and powerful telescopes. Check out this FREE event on Saturday, March 16 from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. for a variety of astronomy-themed activities and fun for all ages.

Schedule of Activities:

  • 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Join members of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society and their high-powered telescopes to safely observe Earth’s closest star, the sun! The telescopes are designed for safe observing of the sun. TAAS members will be on hand to show people what to look for and offer information on the forces and elemental makeup of the cosmos.
  • 7:00 p.m.: In the Kiva Room, Phil Fleming will give a presentation on the TAAS Fabulous Fifty, the stars and constellations of the seasonal skies.
  • 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.: TAAS members will share their telescopes for night sky viewing on the back patio of the Visitor Center. Guests will be treated to the beauty of the later winter and early spring skies, including Mars, Uranus, a waxing gibbous moon, and deep sky objects.
  • Ongoing through the evening:
    • Make your own star chart of the evening’s observations that you can keep and use in your own backyard.
    • Boris Venet will be on hand providing optics demonstrations of the lens configurations which make telescopes possible.
    • Explore unique astronomy exhibits by TAAS members.
    • Relax in the media room and watch episodes of “Cosmos” with Neil deGrasse Tyson.

What to Bring: Please come prepared with jackets for the chilly evening weather, red light headlamps or flashlights to find your way while preserving night vision, and a sense of curiosity and wonder!

About the Open Space Visitor Center: The Open Space Visitor Center is an interpretive hub for the Open Space program, lands, and resources. Visitors enjoy educational exhibits, art displays, wildlife fields, a Traditions garden, Bosque trails, and a variety of talks, workshops, demonstrations and entertainment. The Open Space Visitor Center is located at 6500 Coors Blvd. NW between Montaño Rd. and Paseo del Norte at the end of Bosque Meadows Rd. The Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and closed Mondays. Call 897-8831 for more information or visit www.cabq.gov/openspace.