-David Breeckner, Interim Executive Director
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| Mike Rood shows constellations through a telescope to a young astronomer |
Last night the Museum opened its doors for a
special evening event – a night under the stars! Against the backdrop of movies and some very
special arts and crafts (applying mosaic to our new tortoise sculpture), 166
visitors joined museum staff and volunteers in enjoying this latest celestial
event.
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| Mike Rood describes meteors before visitors search the skies |
Opening with an introductory talk by IVDM board member and
amateur astronomer Mike Rood, guests to the museum learned the origins of
meteors and meteor showers, and the importance and timing of the Lyrids. Using the mobile app Night Sky, Mike took his audience on a whirlwind tour of the
constellations that fill our horizon.
The ensuing barrage of questions by the younger members of the audience
showed their interest in the talk and all things astronomical – the difference
between an asteroid and a meteor (size, origins, and material composition), if
the stars had always been in their current places in the night sky (they
haven’t), and the origins of their names and meanings in different cultures and
places (it’s all relative).
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| Red lights preserve night vision while still lighting the way |
Waiting on the setting sun, museum guests eventually left
the air-conditioned building to set up their lawn chairs or drop a cushion and
to await the heavenly show. No telescopes
were necessary this night, though many took advantage of their own or others’
to get up-close looks at the various celestial bodies. Two lucky visitors looked up at the night sky
through a brand-new pair of high-magnification binoculars, courtesy of winning
the night’s $5 raffle. Guests stayed
outside and enjoyed their time for nearly two hours, closing the event well
past its original 9 pm conclusion.
Despite the high winds typical to the region, propelled eastward over
and down the Jacumba Mountains, guests remained unflinching in their skyward
fascination.
