Star Parties Offer Detailed Views of the Sky

For thousands of years, man has looked skyward with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Advancements in technology have brought us to a deeper understanding of what lies beyond the earth’s bounds, but have also made clear just how much we still do not know. CCBC Dundalk will host a series of “star parties” to provide local residents and the college community with the opportunity to take a closer look at the night sky through the college’s Meade 16-inch LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. CCBC Dundalk science faculty will be on hand to guide visitors’ observations both through the telescope and with the naked eye.

The first party was held Feb. 21, with additional events scheduled for 8 to 10 p.m. March 7, April 4 and May 2, 2003 at the CCBC Dundalk Observatory. In the event of cloudy or inclement weather on scheduled Fridays, the viewing will be held on Saturday evenings. Visitors should dress appropriately for the weather, as the observatory is not heated or climate-controlled.

According to Dave Ludwikoski, assistant professor of Natural Sciences at CCBC Dundalk, viewers can expect to see planets such as Jupiter and Saturn, constellations, nebulas and galaxies. “This is a wonderful opportunity to get introduced to the night sky,” said Ludwikoski. “We’ll also talk about legends and folklore, and share some information about the planets and stars.”

The star parties are free and open to the public. For more information, call 410-285-9728.