Star Parties at BOTH Wagman and Mingo Observatories on July 20 & 21, 2018

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This weekend, July 20th and 21st, there’s a double bonus of FOUR star parties to pick from (two each at Mingo and Wagman Observatories). For all of the details and to check out the public service announcements click on the links below…

Mingo Creek Park Observatory (Washington Co)
Times: 6:30PM Safe Solar Observing; 9:00PM Night Sky Observing
https://3ap.org/2018/07/mingo-observatory-star-parties-on-july-20th-21st/

Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory (Allegheny Co)
Times: 8:45PM Night Sky Observing
https://3ap.org/2018/07/wagman-observatory-star-parties-on-july-20th-21st/

Wagman Observatory Star Parties on July 20th & 21st

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See a region of space where stars are being born, catch a dazzling views of four bright planets, visit the craters of the moon and marvel at our Milky Way Galaxy’s finest clusters and nebulae. It’s all part of the show during July Star Parties sponsored by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh. .

The Star Parties start Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21 at 8:45 PM EDT at the Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory in Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer Township, Pa., near the village of Russellton, in northeastern Allegheny County and some 18 miles from Pittsburgh.

This is an opportunity for amateur astronomers, students and the general public to observe the wonders of the summer sky such as Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. Visitors will also be able to observe the Moon about one to two days after First Quarter, the Hercules cluster and the Ring Nebula.

Did you buy a telescope or get one as a gift and don’t know how to use it? Bring it along and members of the AAAP will be happy to help you learn how to use it!

Looking to buy a telescope, accessories, star charts and books? Wagman Observatory is the place to start. We’ll have free handouts, guides and booklets to point visitors in the right direction.

The Star Parties will be held WEATHER PERMITTING. The public should call 724-224-2510 for more information.

The members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh invite the public to Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory. More than 66,000 people have visited the observatory since its opening in 1987. Come and see what they’ve discovered and you’ve been missing.

Admission is free, though we gladly accept donations to cover the cost of operation. To reach Wagman Observatory, follow the Orange Belt (accessible from Routes 8 and 28) to Deer Lakes Park, near Russellton. Follow the road through the Park for 1.2 miles and turn left on to the Observatory grounds. Please use parking lights only when you drive through the gate.

For additional directions or to check on the weather conditions, please call the observatory at 724-224-2510. If you get our voice mail or a busy signal, keep trying. We receive many calls for information just before and during the star parties.

Mingo Observatory Star Parties on July 20th & 21st

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The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh Invites you to a Star Party at Mingo Creek Park Observatory (Located in Mingo Creek Park, Mansion Hill Extension, past Shelter 10) in Washington County, PA

Dates: Friday and Saturday, July 20 & 21, 2018
Time of Safe solar observing: at 6:30 PM
Time of Night sky observing: approximately 9:00 PM

Weather Permitting for Observing – Planetarium Presentations occur rain or shine

Come and learn about the Mingo Creek Park Observatory, the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh, and astronomy in general. The evening events consist of the following:

• There will be safe observing of the Sun beginning approximately two hours before sunset through the 4” Lunt Hydrogen Alpha telescope.

• After dusk using both the 10” D & G Refractor and the 24” Optical Guidance Systems Reflector telescopes, observe the wonders of the July night sky. This is a great summer for observing the planets with views of Venus, Jupiter and its moons, the rings of Saturn and Mars possible in one night. Many deep sky objects may also be observed such as the Ring Nebula and other nebulae, clusters, and double stars.

• Presentations about current events in astronomy and the Mingo Creek Park night sky will take place in the Richard Y. Haddad Planetarium at various times throughout the night.

The Mingo Creek Park Observatory is handicap accessible. There is no charge for your visit, but we gladly accept donations to cover operating expenses. There is no reservation needed and there is no limit on group sizes.

NOTE: Mingo Creek Park Observatory and its grounds, as a part of Mingo Creek County Park, are a no smoking and no alcohol permitted area.

Mingo Creek Park Observatory is operated by an all-volunteer staff of members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh.

Phone #: 724-348-6150

Becky Nichols
Director
Mingo Creek Park Observatory
Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh

Laurel Hill (Scenic View) Star Party, July 14, 2018

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The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will bring their popular family program to Laurel Hill State Park, Saturday, July 14, 2018,8:30 PM to 10:30 PM – Scenic View at Laurel Hill. Experience a guided tour of the sky! 8:30 PM astronomy presentation will lead the program of observing the heavens through the privately owned telescopes our members. Venus, Mars,  Jupiter, and Saturn may also be visible that night. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, bug spray, and your curiosity. Please no smoking anywhere on the field (it harms the telescopes) and refrain from using flash lights or cell phones, and take care with headlights. The white light ruins night vision. Call park office for more information (814) 445-7725 or check park Facebook if weather looks bad. This is a FREE event. Members of the public are encouraged to bring their own telescopes. 

Location on Google Maps is under the old name of “Penn’s Scenic View.” Laurel Hill State Park Complex, 1454 Laurel Hill Park Road, Somerset, PA 15501 Phone: (814) 445-7725 . Subsequent to video filming the structures were painted state park brown.

Wagman Mars Star Parties July 27 & 28, 2018

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In honor of Mars making its closest approach since 2003  Mars Star Parties at Wagman Observatory have been added to the AAAP Star Party Schedule on Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28, 2018. The Mars  2018 close approach inspires us to offer a special opportunity to see features of the Martian surface such as light and dark areas, streaks and lines. We are hoping the clouds on both planets cooperate. Just as we have had a rainy/cloudy summer here, a massive dust storm has broken out on Mars. More details to be developed. In the meantime, please save the dates.

Moraine Star Party, Saturday, July 7, 2018

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The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will once again bring this popular family program to Moraine State Park, Saturday, July 7, 2018, 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM – Bike Rental Parking Lot (North Shore).  Experience a guided tour of the sky!  Meet at the parking lot near the Bike Rental on North Shore, Moraine State Park, bring a chair.  8:30 PM astronomy presentation will lead the program of observing the heavens through the privately owned telescopes our members. Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn may also be visible that night. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, bug spray, and your curiosity. Please no smoking anywhere on the field (it harms the telescopes) and refrain from using flash lights or cell phones, and take care with headlights. The white light ruins night vision.   Bad weather cancels event, rain date is July 14. Call park office 724 368-8811 by 4:00 pm or check park facebook if weather looks bad.  This is a FREE event. Members of the public are encouraged to bring their own telescopes.  Saturday, July 7 at 8:30pm to 10:30pm.  Moraine State Park  225 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville, PA 16051-2031. AAAP Member Volunteers should contact Bill M.