Astronomy

Sierra Magazine 

Sierra Magazine frequently includes articles on astronomy. If the following link to the latest copy of Sierra Magazine does not work, go to sierraclub.org, then scroll down to the page footer and click on Sierra Magazine. Check out Sierra Magazine

Large 24" Refractor Moved to Northwest Arkansas

The 106-year old 24”, 36 foot long refractor telescope (previously used at Swarthmore College PA) has been moved to Bentonville AR where it will be restored, upgraded, and eventually used for public outreach. For more info, go to https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2017/jul/30/large-telescope-moves-to-northwest-arka/     or to https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2017/04/25/group-hopes-to-move-giant-telescope-to-northwest-arkansas

Dark Skies Initiative

The presentation at the October 2015 CAG meeting concerned effiiciency of LED lighting and an effort to keep the night skies free from unwanted artificial lighting. For more information on this subject, check the November 2015 issue of Discover magazine. While LED lights are much more efficient than older bulbs, recent (unshielded and unfiltered) blue LED lights also cause interference with viewing and photographing the skies.

Links to Astronomy Clubs in Arkansas

http://www.go-astronomy.com/astro-clubs-state.php?State=AR 

Astronomical Society of Northwest Arkansas
http://faylib.pbworks.com/w/page/6936244/Astronomical%20Society%20of%20Northwest%20Arkansas 

Central Arkansas Astronomical Society
http://www.caasastro.org     

or try searching the internet for: planets visible tonight

College Astronomy

Arkansas Technical University - Russellville - Observatory
http://www.atu.edu/physics/Observatory.php
Web site includes a list of AstroLinks
The Observatory is open to the public for special events that are advertised on facebook page
UALR Physics & Astronomy - Little Rock
http://ualr.edu/physics/
Observatory - 24" telescope on Stabler Hall
Planetarium - currently non-operational (as of last time checked)
U-Tube videos - ualr.edu/tv/night-sky

University of Arkansas - Fayetteville
http://www.uark.edu/
Planetarium - The planetarium is a teaching element in the university

UCA (Conway) 

For public shows, check indicated web site after Fall classes start for more info.

Observatory - Meade 14-inch aperture LX200R GPS telescope
See web site for more info - http://uca.edu/physics/observatory/    
(No public shows planned for Fall 2024)

Examples of events scheduled in the past:
Fall 2019 - Telescope open to the public on the following Wednesdays: September 18, 7:30pm-9:30pm, October 16, 7:00pm-9:00pm, November 20, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Spring 2020 - Telescope open to the public on the following Wednesdays: January 15, 6-8 pm; February 19, 6:30-8:30 pm; March 18, 8-10 pm; April 15, 8:30-10:30 pm

Planetarium - Please check https://uca.edu/physics/planetarium/     for more info on Fall 2024 public shows. .....Public shows are scheduled for some (but not all) Friday and Saturday evenings until 12/6-7/2024.

The new Conway Corporation for Sciences addition to the Lewis Science Center (completed early 2017) includes a new planetarium with larger seating capacity
http://uca.edu/physics/planetarium/

In the past, public shows started at 3 pm and 8 pm most Friday and Saturday evenings. No tickets or reservations were required but room size limits attendance. Arrive early for planetarium shows to ensure entry. Doors are locked before they start program. Admission is currently free. Donation to the Griffin Planetarium is encouraged. One-hour public shows will include a tour of the current evening sky and a planetarium show which varies periodically. For more info/changes, go to: http://uca.edu/physics/planetarium ..... UCA MAP (PDF file) ...The UCA astronomy program is led by Scott Austin, Director of Astronomical Activities. Past events included:

Fall 2019 - Public Shows at 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays from  August 23 through October 12; October 25 through November 23;  December 6 through December 14. For more info, go to: http://uca.edu/physics/planetarium

Spring 2020 - Public Shows at 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays  from  January 10 through March 21; April 3 through April 25. 

North Little Rock - Laman Library - Main Branch

The Library now has telescopes that can be checked out for home use. For changes, updates, more info, go to lamanlibrary.org and check Events > Main Branch Adults

State Parks

Check state parks web site for info: https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/      > events, then search for "star". .....As of 9/29/24, events (star parties) are scheduled for the following state parks: Mt Magazine (F 11/1), Withrow Spgs (F 10/4, F 11/4, Sa 11/30), Mississippi River State Park (Sa 10/5, F 11/1). Check the State Park web site for changes, deletions, additions, corrections.

Astronomical Happenings

Check one of the Astronomy Club web sites above for astronomical happenings in 2019.

Past events at UCA:

Spring 2018 - Telescope open to the public on the following Wednesdays:
January 17, 6:00-8:00 PM, February 21, 7:00-9:00 PM, March 14, 7:00-9:00 PM, April 18, 9:00-11:00 PM

Fall 2018 - Telescope open to the public on the following Wednesdays:
September 19, 8 - 10 pm, October 17, 7 - 9 pm, November 14, 6 - 8 pm

Spring 2019 - Telescope open to the public on the following Wednesdays:
January 16, 6:00-10:00 PM, February 20, 6:30-8:30 PM, March 13, 7:30-9:30 PM, April 27, 8:00-10:00 PM

Fall 2018 - Planetarium Shows at 8 pm Friday and Saturday evenings (8/24 - 10/6, 10/19 - 11/17, 11/30 - 12/8)

Spring 2019 - Public Planetarium Show at 8:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays from January 11 through March 16; March 29 through May 4.

Summer 2019 - Public Planetarium Show 3:30 and 8:00 pm on Fridays May 11 - June 28 and August 2 - 16. Admission is currently free. Donation to the Griffin Planetarium is encouraged. One-hour public shows will include a tour of the current evening sky and a planetarium show which varies periodically.