Our most open outreach event are star parties at the University of Utah Observatory on Wednesday nights. These are open to the
public and are always free. Feel free to bring kids, elderly, groups, couples, and friends, it doesn't matter because everybody
is invited.
Bring questions about astronomy or objects you would like to try to see and we'll try to answer them and find them as best we can. UUAC members are encouraged to attend and help at star parties to help increase club membership, gain knowledge and spread that knowledge to party goers. During summer months, there are solar parties a few hours before star parties. Come see the sun through the observatory's hydrogen alpha telescopes and sun filtered telescopes. Questions on telescope set-up, problems, or usage are also encouraged and we'll do our best to show you how to put your scope to use. Check the Observatory homepage for more information. Star parties are subject to weather. Donations to the observatory and/or club are welcome and encouraged. |
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The UUAC and the U Physics Deptartment can provide assistance to local schools with the education of students by providing a daytime solar
party or a nighttime star party. Solar parties would consist of telescopes with solar filters for optical light and hydrogen alpha
solar telescopes for viewing the sun in H-alpha wavelengths to show prominences, flares, filaments and surface features.
Tours are free but scheduling must be made at least three weeks in advance and are subject to availability of telescopes, weather and club members. For information and scheduling, contact the club at the UUAC email at uofuastronomyclub@hotmail.com or the Physics Department at 801-581-6901. Schools may also schedule to bring their class to the U of U Observatory for a day trip. The class may have the chance to view the sun in our H-alpha telescopes to see solar prominences, flares and surface details. They will also be introduced to instruments used for imaging, spectroscopy and the telescopes. These may also be scheduled through the Physics Department and are free of charge but donations to the observatory and/or club are welcome. |
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The Physics Department provides tours of the observatory for youth groups, local girl and boy scout troops. Members of the club
are encouraged to help with the tours to give the participants a more fulfilling experience while at the observatory.
Tours typically last two and a half hours but can be shortened for time constraints. They usually consist of a slide show presentation of astronomy topics spanning from planets, comets, and astroids, to galaxies, star clusters, and black holes; afterwards, a visit to the roof of the South Physics building to see the telescopes and view objects using them. This is a very basic presentation aimed at age groups from 8-14 years of age but can be made accomodate older or younger participants. The presentation and telescope visit will provide the information needed for boy scouts to obtain their badges and astronomy belt loop. For scheduling, call the Physics Department at 801-581-6901. Tours are subject to weather and are free of charge but donations to the observatory are welcome. |
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| Those who would like to schedule a star party for a group of people or a personal tour for a few peple may do so by contacting the physics deptartment at 801-581-6901 to set up a time and date. These are subject to availability, time, weather and are given at the discretion of the observatory staff and/or club members. Star party content may be changed from the usual to accomodate for other preferences but must be discussed with the observatory staff and/or club members. For more information, email Paul at radioman99@ hotmail.com. Private and group star parties are free of charge but a donation to the observatory and/or club is welcome. |
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