This Weekend At The Herrett Center

Weather is looking clear this weekend which will make it perfect for celestial viewing and an Herrett Center Astronomy Talk.

Antarctica is one of the least hospitable places on Earth, with temperatures reaching more than 100 below zero and gale force winds during the six-month polar night. Nevertheless, astronomers from across the globe are operating cutting edge experiments and observatories to take advantage of conditions which, although dangerous to life, are ideal for studying the cosmos.

At 7:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, Centennial Observatory coordinator Chris Anderson will present “Looking Up From the Bottom of the World,” a talk describing the astronomy being done in Antarctica, and the plans for even more ambitious future polar research. The talk begins in the Rick Allen Room of the Herrett Center for Arts & Science. Admission is $2.50 for adults, $1.50 for students including CSI students with their activity card. Kids 6 and under are free.

After the talk, the observatory will be open for telescope viewing, weather permitting, starting around 8:45 p.m.  Admission to the observatory is $1.50 per person, free for kids 6 and under, or free with paid attendance at the astronomy talk or a program in the Faulkner Planetarium.

Talk to anyone who has survived in the wilderness or watch any of the survivor shows on TV; perhaps the most important skill you can have out in the great wide open is the ability to make fire. The Herrett Center’s Primitive Skills workshop from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, the 15^th will show you how – with no matches or flint. You’ll get good enough at it that you can compete with the others to see who can build the first flames. Fire! The Primitive Skills workshop at the Herrett Center, Saturday afternoon, the 15^th. For information, call 732-6655.

‘International Observe the Moon Night’ from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22.