Contact:

SANDY PERRY, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
PHONE: 908-234-1225, EXT. 104
SANDY@NJCONSERVATION.ORG

Explore the night sky at Feb. 2 Star Party

FAR HILLS, NJ, Jan. 22, 2008 – If you gaze at the sky on a clear night, can you use the stars to figure out which direction is north? Can you identify the constellations whose distinctive shapes make them most recognizable? Tell which exceptionally bright “stars” are actually planets?

Would-be stargazers, whether novices or experienced observers, are invited to join the New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) on Saturday, Feb. 2, for a Star Party at the Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center, 170 Longview Road, Far Hills. The event, which is open to the public, will run from 6 to 11 p.m. Advance registration is required, and a fee of $5 per person will be charged “at the door.”

“The Star Party is a perfect opportunity to learn about winter constellations and other exciting things, like galaxies, nebulae, star clusters and planets,” said Michele S. Byers, Executive Director of NJCF. “The winter skies are the brightest of year, and our rural setting is far from the light pollution of cities and towns.”

Although the event is hosted by NJCF, the educational program will be provided by the Willingboro Astronomical Society (WAS), which will have members on hand to share their telescopes and expertise.

The evening will begin indoors, with a 30-minute slide presentation by Jeremy Young of the astronomical society. “This is designed to prepare the guests for the evening of observing,” explained Bernie Hosko, star party coordinator for WAS. “It’s an extremely effective means of previewing what guests will see through the telescopes and helping them get more out of the experience.”

After the presentation, there will be a guided outdoor “laser tour” of the night sky by Joe Steiber of WAS. Participants can then visit six individual stations with high-powered telescopes set up by members of WAS, the Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area (ASTRA) and other New Jersey astronomy clubs.

The NJCF offices will remain open throughout the event so guests can warm up and enjoy hot chocolate and other refreshments. In the event of cloudy skies, only the indoor program will be held.

Assuming clear weather, the planets Mars and Saturn will be visible in the sky on Feb. 2, said Hosko, along with the constellations Orion, Taurus, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Gemini, Andromeda, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Perseus and Cassiopeia.

“These constellations hold a cornucopia of deep sky objects, which we will see through the scopes,” said Hosko. Among them will be the Great Orion nebula, the Whirlpool galaxies, the Seven Sisters cluster (also known as The Pleiades), the Crab nebula in Taurus, the Little Dumbbell in Perseus and the Beehive asterism.

Participants should dress warmly and bring binoculars. The $5 program fee is payable by cash or check on the evening of the event. To register, contact Lauren Ramos at Lauren@njconservation.org or 908-234-1225.

The event will be cancelled only if driving conditions are hazardous. In case of inclement weather, please check the NJCF website at www.njconservation.org or the WAS website at www.wasociety.net during the afternoon of the Star Party.

The Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center is located in Chester Township, a short distance off Route 206. From Route 206, turn west onto Pottersville Road at traffic light (left turn for northbound traffic, right turn for southbound). Go for about ½ mile and make first right onto Lisk Hill Road. Follow Lisk Hill for about 1/10 mile to stop sign at T-intersection. Turn right onto Union Grove Road, then continue for 3/10 mile to Y-intersection. Bear left at Y-intersection onto Longview Road and proceed for about one mile. Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center is on the left, with a large gravel parking lot uphill of the main building. For more information or detailed directions to Bamboo Brook, call 908-234-1225.

To prepare for the Star Party, Hosko recommends visiting the educational website www.quietbay.net/Science/astronomy/nightsky/004.html for an interactive program on understanding the night sky.