In addition to the "Friday Night Open Houses", which are free and open to the public every clear Friday evening at Broemmelsiek Park, we have selectively scheduled some special dates this year with the St Charles County Parks department. All Public events feature several telescopes and operators who provide views thru their scopes free of charge. Both members and non-members bring scopes. Anyone who needs help with their own scopes are encouraged to bring them. Please have them available for us to help you with them before sundown. If your scope is working fine, but you'd like help to find some objects, please just ask one of our members (most of which will have a name tag). We are glad to help you find things with your scope, please ask! General rules at star parties apply to help all of us retain our night vision. Please avoid bringing flashlights (unless they are red or covered by red plastic) or any other lighted devices. Try to avoid shining car headlights at the telescope field as you park or leave, else please minimize it as much as possible while remaining safe (use your parking lights). Kids are welcome. Here are the events as scheduled for 2010: Sat MAY 15 Broemmelsiek Park Mars, Saturn, Whirlpool Galaxy, etc. Sat JULY 17 Broemmelsiek Park Moon, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, etc. Wed AUG 11-12 Broemmelsiek Park PERSEID METEOR SHOWER (bring lounge chairs and blankets), plus Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn Sat SEP 4 Klondike Park (Family Camping event) Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Andromeda Galaxy (must register with the County Parks department if you plan to camp) Weather permitting, we also plan to do a daylight event with solar scopes on Sunday July 25 at Quail Ridge Park. This is the 10th anniversary year of St Charles County Parks, and they have invited all of their volunteer groups to enjoy a picnic shelter as we see fit, show our "wares", and visit with other groups there if we like. It sounds like fun and I hope we have clear (but not too hot) weather for this. Broemmelsiek Park is located about 4 miles south of 40/61 (from Winghaven) on Hwy DD, then right (west) for a half mile on Schwede Road. The Astronomy area is the second right-hand entrance of the park from Schwede Road. Broemmelsiek Park offers 10 concrete pads (with power) and sidewalks, plus other telescope-friendly amenities. It is open 24/7 for use by anyone wanting to view the stars. If it is a clear night with no moon, you will probably find some of our ASEM members out there (especially on weekends). Klondike Park offers camping facilities and a fairly dark sky. It is located on Hwy 94 in south St Charles county just a couple miles past Augusta It is a very beautiful setting in a very nice park close to nearby attractions. If you've never been to this park, you owe it to yourself to come out and see it at one of our events. Both locations offer nice restroom facilities. If it is hot outside, you may want to bring liquids (and repellent)! The best views are after it gets really dark (2 hours after sunset or later), but most folks show up at sunset. These events will typically last until 11pm or 11:30 pm, depending on the sky conditions. These events will be canceled without notice if the sky is more than 70% cloud covered or if it is raining. We are an optimistic bunch, but wet equipment is to be avoided. |
St Charles County Parks Events |