LOCAL ASTRONOMY CLUB PRESENTS BACKYARD ASTRONOMY CLASS

Beginning this April, the Southeastern Iowa Astronomy Club (SEIC) will be hosting a Backyard Astronomy Class. The class is composed of 5 sessions, all occurring on Tuesday evenings beginning April 27 through May 25. Participants will get a unique opportunity to explore not only their solar system but far beyond with the expert guidance of SEIC members.

Below is a description of each session:

April 27^th: Introduction to the Universe (What is Out There)

Starr’s Cave Nature Center 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

May 4^th: Tools and Techniques (Star Charts-Binoculars-Telescopes)

Witte Observatory 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

May 11^th Observing the Solar System (Planets-Moons -Sun -Meteors-Comets-Asteroids)

Witte Observatory 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

May 18^th Observing the Stars and Mythology (Stars-Path of the Zodiac-Constellations-Mythology)

Witte Observatory 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

May 25^th Deep Sky Objects (Nebulae-Galaxies-The Milky Way-Messier Objects)

Witte Observatory 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

To register, stop by Starr’s Cave Nature Center (11627 Starr’s Cave Road in Burlington) and fill out a registration form and submit payment. Registration forms may also be printed from the Des Moines County Conservation website: www.dmcconservation.com and mailed in along with payment to 11627 Starr’s Cave Road in Burlington. The class is expected to fill quickly and therefore registering early is recommended. The cost of the class is $20 and is open to those 18 and over. For questions regarding the topics that will be covered in the class, please contact the Astronomy Club Chair at (319) 752-7477. For questions regarding registration and payment, please contact Starr’s Cave Nature Center at (319) 753-5808.

Please note that most sessions will take place at the John H. Witte Observatory Complex located at Big Hollow Recreation Area. To get to the Complex, take Highway 61 North from Burlington, after approximately 12 miles, turn West onto Pleasant Grove Road/H-40 (note Big Hollow sign), continue 2.8 miles and then turn South onto 152^nd Avenue, proceed 1 mile to the Complex. For a map, please visit the Des Moines County Conservation website at www.dmcconservation.com.

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