Night sky viewing and photography classes scheduled

The Sugar Creek Astronomical Society and the Photographic Society of Northwest Arkansas have partnered at Hobbs State Park for an evening of night sky viewing and night photography.

On Saturday, May 12, a special Hobbs State Park Star Party co• hosted by the Sugar Creek Astronomical Society and the Photographic Society of Northwest Arkansas will take place at the park's visitor center. The night begins with short lectures at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Star Party where the public will be able to look through powerful telescopes and practice dark sky photography.

Tim Johnson of the Photographic Society of NWA (PSNWA) will kick off the evening with a brief presentation on night photography. He will show some of the equipment used, techniques and share some amazing examples of the kind of photographs of the night sky that can be achieved. Come with a camera and tripod for an opportunity to practice in the visitor center parking lot after the lectures. Participants will want a camera with the ability to adjust the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. They will also need to be able to manually focus the camera. A cable release is optional but can be a great help.

Johnson said, "Following the lecture, we encourage you to take your own night sky photographs during the star party."

Next, Rick Marshall, president of Sugar Creek Astronomical Society, will give a presentation on the king of the planets, Jupiter. He will cover some facts about the largest planet in the solar system, the history of human investigation of Jupiter and its moons, and then he will cover what to expect when looking at Jupiter during the Star Party. Marshall remarked, "As Summer of 2018 approaches, so too does the parade of planets in the night sky. Venus leads the way, visible until almost 10 pm. Just as Venus is setting, Jupiter majestically rises in the East at its largest and brightest. Although we are saying goodnight to Orion the Hunter, more constellations are coming into view with a host of great deep sky nebulae, start clusters, and galaxies to see. This night will be fun for kids as well as adults."

What to Bring if you can:

• Camera and tripod for night sky photography

• Flashlight (covered with a red cloth or red balloon)

• Binoculars and/or telescope (if available)

• Folding chair, one per person

• Star chart (if available)

Where: Hobbs State Park Visitor Center located on Hwy 12 just east of the

Hwy 12/War Eagle Road intersection.

When: Saturday May 12th 2018

7:30 pm Lecture 8:30 for Star Party and night photography

Cost: Free

To learn more about upcoming Friends of Hobbs speakers and other park programs, go to: http://www.friendsofhobbs.com/ and www.ArkansasStateParks.com/hobbsstateparkconservationarea.

Photographic Society of NWA's Facebook Group is https://www.facebook.com/groups/PSNWAnature/ Their website is: https://www.psnwa.org/ws/. Sugar Creek Astronomical Society's Facebook Group is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/143382315673668/