By: Tom Wickersham

EXPLORIT'S ASTRONOMY CLUB ADDRESSES LIGHT POLLUTION ISSUE

Did you know that Explorit Science Center's Astronomy Club isn't a "members only" club, but is open to anyone? Did you know that star gazing is only a part of what happens at Astronomy Club meetings? And did you know that the next meeting will take place tomorrow, September 26 at 8:30 pm?

If you didn't know these and other great astronomy facts, perhaps you should stop by and see what you're missing.

Explorit's Astronomy Club, now in its eleventh year, meets monthly to discuss comets and constellations, satellites and telescopes, and all things stellar. Meetings are always free to the public and are great for both kids and adults. You'll have the chance to work with a computerized telescope, design your own constellation, make a star clock, learn astro-mythology or just sit back and watch a summer meteor shower.

Now's your chance to learn more about a hot issue -- an issue currently being discussed at city council meetings in Davis and across the country. "Light Pollution: Photon Torpedoes" will be the topic of tomorrow's meeting at Explorit.

The meeting will be the first part of a two part unit on light pollution, and will include a slide show published by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific for the International Dark-Sky Association.

What is light pollution? Light pollution is light that is directed to places, including the sky, which are not intended to be illuminated by the light source. Currently there are laws on the books addressing the impact of light pollution in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose, Flagstaff, Tucson, Tempe, New Jersey and Maine.

In addition to a slide show on light pollution, tomorrow's activities will also include viewings of the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. For more information about tomorrow's meeting or about the Astronomy Club, call Explorit at (530) 756-0191.

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Tomorrow, September 26, is a free admission Saturday at Explorit Science Center. Come visit "The Way the Ball Bounces: The Science of Toys and Games" before this popular exhibition closes on October 4.

You may know that admission is free tomorrow, but you may not know you can take science home for free, too. As with most exhibitions at Explorit, there are opportunities to take projects and experiments with you.

With the current exhibition, you can make your own boomerang, paper helicopter or paper airplane.

Of course you can always take home a better understanding of the "Science of Toys and Games."

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Explorit Science Center is located at 3141 5th Street in East Davis. The current exhibition is The Way the Ball Bounces: The Science of Toys and Games. Public hours are Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. Regular admission is $3; members, teachers (with school ID) and children under 4 are free.