By Dispatch staff

May 10, 2012

The York County Astronomical Society will conduct a free public observing Starwatch, 8:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at the John C. Rudy County Park observatory.

View the May sky through one of the YCAS telescopes, with experienced members to guide you on a tour of celestial wonders, including stars, planets, nebulae, and the moon. You are also invited to bring your own telescope and share your experiences with other amateur astronomers. Star Charts are available to help your exploration of the nighttime sky. The event will only be held if it is clear or partly cloudy out.

If the weather is questionable, call (717) 578-9109 for notice of any late cancellation. If it is clear or mostly clear, the activity will occur as scheduled. If it is completely cloudy or raining, the event will be cancelled.

For directions, visit www.ycas.org/directions.htm. The observatory is inside the park, not at the park administrative headquarters.

By Dispatch staff

May 7, 2012

The York County Astronomical Society will present three shows on Friday, May 11, at the York Learning Center planetarium, 300 E. 6th Ave., North York.

The first show, “The Planets,” begins at 7 p.m. It’s a tour through the solar system and recently-discovered sights, narrated by Kate Mulgrew, of “Star Trek Voyager” fame.

The second show, “StarWatch,” is at 7:40 p.m. Become a star watcher by exploring the current night sky, locating visible planets and constellations, and enjoying sky lore.

The last show, “New Horizons: The mission to Pluto,” begins at 8:20 p.m. It introduces mythology of Pluto and launches into a tour of the night sky from from the New Horizons spacecraft.

Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for children and seniors. Admission to any second or
third show is $1 each.

By Dispatch staff

April 24, 2012

Children and adults are invited to the York County Astronomical Society’s Astronomy Day, 1-5 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at John C. Rudy County Park.

The event will feature:
– Radio astronomy: listen to the mysterious sounds of the universe using a small radio telescope.

– Solar observing: safely observe the sun through various types of telescopes.

– Solar system walk: help build a scale model of the solar system.

Learn how to use your telescope. Daytime is the best for learning how to use that telescope gathering dust at home, bring the telescope, any accessories and instructions to the observatory to get help from experienced astronomers.

After the event, return to the park at 8 p.m. for a two-hour observing session. See all that the April sky has to offer. Bring your own telescope or view through the YCAS telescopes.

The daytime program is free and will be offered rain or shine. Solar activities will only be offered if it is not cloudy. The evening observing session will only be offered if it is clear or partly cloudy. Call the 578-9109 or check www.ycas.org after 5 p.m. that day if the weather is questionable.

For more information, email info@ycas.org, visit www.ycas.org or call 578-9109.

By Dispatch staff

April 7, 2012

The York County Astronomical Society will present three shows on Friday, April 13, at the York Learning Center planetarium, 300 E. 6th Ave., North York.

7 p.m.: “The Planets” is a tour through the solar system and fascinating, recently-discovered sights in this program narrated by Kate Mulgrew of “Star Trek Voyager” fame.

7:40 p.m.: “StarWatch” explores the current night sky, locates visible planets and constellations, and adds some sky lore.

8:20 p.m.: “Space Dreams” takes a look at Native American star stories, the ancient Greek ideas of space travel as well as the present realities and future hopes of our eternal quest for the stars. It is recommended for ages 12 and older.

Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for children and seniors. Admission to any second or third show is $1 each.

By Dispatch staff

March 26, 2012

The York County Astronomical Society will conduct a free New Telescope Clinic, 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at the John C. Rudy County Park observatory.

Did you get a new telescope recently or discover an unused one in your attic? Experience has shown that the first night out with a new telescope can be daunting as you try to perform all the initial setup
work required. Consequently, many new telescopes are used once or twice, then never again due to frustration. Come to the clinic to set up your telescope the first time and learn how to use and enjoy it. YCAS will check out your telescope, help you align the finder scope, show you how your telescope works, and help you with some initial observations of the sky (clear skies permitting). Afterwards, take home a free Star Chart to help you continue your exploration of the nighttime sky.

Bring your telescope and all the items that came with it (including batteries, if required, and the instruction manual) between 7 and 8:30 p.m. For directions, visit www.ycas.org/directions.htm. uarters.

The free clinic and will be offered even if it is cloudy. Please dress appropriately for the weather. For more information, call the YCAS hotline at (717) 578–9109.