Star party Saturday

It might be colder outside in January, but clear, crisp winter days make for excellent viewing of the night sky. Saturday, Jan. 18, marks the first in a series of free astronomy programs presented at Hobbs State Park by the Sugar Creek Astronomical Society throughout 2014. Each beginning Astronomy program is followed by a special topic, and then night sky viewing using the powerful telescopes provided by the Sugar Creek group and the Friends of Hobbs State Park.

"As we begin another year at Hobbs, we will focus on the famous Orion Nebula (M42), birthplace of countless stars. The young stars forming the famous Trapezium will be visible through our telescopes, as will part of the ghostly nebula itself," Jack McDaniel, astronomical society's president, said of the first of six 2014 programs.

"Numerous open and globular star clusters will catch our attention, including the open cluster M45, better known as the Pleiades in the constellation Taurus. The Pleiades, or Seven Sisters, are one of the loveliest sights in the sky, especially through binoculars. The cluster is relatively young at 50 million years old and actually comprises numerous stars, eighteen being visible to the naked eye."

Participants are advised to bring a flashlight covered with a red cloth or red balloon, binoculars and/or telescope if possible, folding chairs and a star chart.

The event will start at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, with an astronomy class. The night sky observation will start at 5:30 p.m.

This is an opportunity to view the night sky through the Sugar Creek Astronomy Society's/Friends of Hobbs high-powered telescopes.

The event will the Hobbs State Park Conservation Area visitor center located on Arkansas Hwy. 12 just east of War Eagle Road intersection.

For information, call 789-5000.

Community on 01/15/2014