Explorit observes International Year of Astronomy

About 400 years ago this summer, Galileo created a telescope that magnified the skies by three. What he discovered as he gazed through it forever changed how we view the universe.

With hats off to his contributions to science, this is the International Year of Astronomy. Later this year at Explorit, we’ll open an exhibition called “What’s Out There? Exploring Our Universe?” It will run from Dec. 12 through Feb. 22.

In the meantime, we have two astronomy events planned for stargazing fans of all ages.

First, on Saturday, July 18, the Davis Astronomy Club at Explorit invites the public to a meeting focusing on stars. Club leaders will discuss why stars don’t all look alike as well as other starry facts. Afterward, providing it’s a clear night, everyone will go outside and participate in a star color hunt. Club members bring telescopes and binoculars for all to use.

The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. It is free and open to everyone, as are all club events, at Explorit’s Mace Park Branch, 3141 Fifth St. Also on the agenda: News from NASA and a tourist-eye view of the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, which has a state-of-the-art planetarium.

On Aug. 11, the astronomy club will hold its annual Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing Party.

This free event will happen from 8 p.m.- midnight at Fairfield Elementary School, 26960 County Road 96. It's west of Davis at the corner of Russell Boulevard (Road 32) and County Road 96.

To watch the meteor showers, guests are encouraged to bring a reclining chair or a blanket to lie on as well as a jacket to keep warm. Flashlights should have filters or be covered with a paper bag. There are no restroom facilities available at Fairfield Elementary.

The astronomy club is an informal group with no dues or membership requirements. If you are interested in astronomy, you are welcome to come.

Loads of information about the International Year of Astronomy is available at http://www.yearofscience2009.org/home/
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Also on July 18, Dr. Storm, aka UC Davis Professor Richard Grotjahn, will lead several shows between 1 and 4 p.m. at Explorit’s museum site, 2801 Second St. Part of our "Family Exploration" series, "Dr. Storm Presents Weather" will be free after paid admission to the museum.

Have you ever seen a tornado machine? How about a cloud in a soda bottle? You can examine during Dr. Storm’s shows. He’ll use a dozen demonstrations to explain different aspects of the weather. Topics include air pressure, how clouds and rain form, angular momentum, and what causes lightning and tornadoes.

Demonstrations include the cloud in a soda bottle, the tornado machine, static electricity, a hot air balloon, and others as time permits.

Grotjahn teaches a popular course at UC Davis titled "Severe and Unusual Weather." During his 27 years at the university, his research has combined theoretical dynamics with observations, using each to illuminate the other.
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Explorit Science Center is at 2801 Second St., Davis. Public hours: 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Admission is $4 general, free for ages 3 and under. It’s free for everyone on the fourth Friday of each month. For more information: (530) 756-0191 or www.explorit.org.