Astronomy Day

Astronomy Day 2007

The George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park

For a list of Astronomy Day Volunteers in PDF Format, click here.
To volunteer, click here.

Astronomy Day will be held Saturday, October 20, 2007 from 3:00 to 10:30 pm. at the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park one hour southwest of Houston, Texas. For a map to Brazos Bend State Park, click here. For more information about Astronomy Day, write to gobserve@consolidated.net. For more information about the Brazos Bend State Park, or to find out about camping, call toll free: (800)792-1112, or Austin: (512)389-4800.

Brazos Bend State Park
Campsites, Other Facilities and Fees
Note: Information and prices are subject to change.
Please call the park for park information (1-800-792-1112) for the latest updates.

Entrance Fees:
$4 per day, per person 13 and older—children 12 and under are free
$2 for seniors 65 and older (regardless of the date of their 65th birthday)

Special entrance rates for holders of:

Texas State Parks Pass

Youth Group Annual Entrance Permit

Texas Parklands Passport (Bluebonnet Pass)

George Observatory's entire "Astronomy Day" event is FREE to the public!
On any other Saturday night, the cost for viewing through the George
Observatory telescopes is $5.00 per person.

Come out and enjoy...

Indoor and Outdoor Presentations starting at 4:00 PM
Challenger Center Flight Simulations - "Return to the Moon"
Observe Sunspots and Solar Prominences
Observe the Moon and Deep Sky Objects
Professional Research Telescope Viewing (36", 18", 14" and 11")
Dozens of Amateur Telescopes to View the Skies
Face Painting
How to Get Started in Astronomy
How to Use and Purchase Telescopes
Astronomy Buttons
NASA Space Suit Display
Free Material and Astronomy Handouts
Meet the Local Astronomy Clubs
Indoor Displays (CCD Imaging, Interactive computers, Meteorites, Light Pollution)
The George Observatory Gift Shop will be open for the entire event!

Food catering is provided by Pappa La Rosa Flying Pizza and Restaurant

Outdoor Speakers*
4:00 - 7:00 PM
(15 - 20 minutes)

4:00 - Dr. Aaron Clevenson
Topic - "Shadows and Silhouettes"

4:30 - James Wooten
Topic - "The Great Cosmic Year"

5:00 - Hernan Contreras
Topic - "Simple Devices That Help Astronomers Learn About Our World"

5:30 - John Erickson
Topic - "Galileo: His Life and Times"

6:00 - Robert Manfredi
Topic - "All ABout Binoculars and How They Help Us See"

6:30 - Dennis Borgman
Topic - "What We Can See On The Moon?"

Indoor Speakers*
4:00 - 10:00 PM
(40 minutes)
Geraldine and JC Reina and Aaron Clevenson
will introduce all speakers in the lecture room.

4:00 - Justin McCollum, Astronomical Society of South East Texas
Topic - "A Quickie Trip Through The Outer Solar System"

5:00 - Stephen O'Meara, author, editor, noted amateur/professional astronomer
Topic - "Comets and the Witch Hysteria of 1692"

6:00 - Dr. Reggie DuFour, Professor of Astrophysics, Rice University
Topic - "The Dark Universe"

7:00 - Larry Mitchell, Houston Astronomical Society, noted amateur astronomer
Topic - "The Pluto Problem"

8:00 - Stephen O'Meara, author, editor, noted amateur/professional astronomer
Topic - "Bad Moon Rising: Does the Moon Affect Volcanic Eruptions?"

9:00 - Katherine Keilty, Rice University, Professor of Physics at Kingwood College
Topic - "Jupiter: The Amazing One"

*Times and Speakers are subject to change

Daytime Events

Indoor Activities	Presentations

Solar Observing	Outside Speakers

How a Telescope works	Indoor Speakers

Telescope Viewing	Helpful Volunteers