Astronomy

Calumet Astronomical Society public observing dates

The volunteers of the Calumet Astronomical Society invite you to explore the wonders of the universe when they present their popular free public programs. Volunteers will guide visitors in the use of telescopes and astronomical binoculars as they observe the majesty of the skies. Star charts, club information, and astronomy-related activities are presented.

The events are open to everyone. Families and school groups are especially welcome. Because observing is conducted in a "lights-out" environment, parents are requested to keep their children under close supervision. For the safety of our visitors and members, and to prevent damage to equipment, running or other reckless activities will not be permitted. Please do not use standard flashlights in the observing area. Exposure to white light, even briefly, will seriously impair night vision making observing difficult. Red filtered flashlights can provide illumination without affecting night vision. You can easily make a red light by cutting the end off a red balloon and putting it over a standard flashlight.

Remember, after sunset temperatures may drop rapidly so dress appropriately for changeable weather. Programs are naturally dependent on cloud cover and weather conditions. Inclement weather will cause these programs to be cancelled. HOTLINE – CAS has established a "hotline" telephone number for information on our events - 773-639-5491. This provides updated information about CAS events and weather cancellations on short notice.

More information about CAS may be obtained online at www.casonline.org

2013 CAS Conway Public Observatory Schedule

 

Conway Observatory at Buckley Homestead is located 4.5 miles west of Interstate 65 just south of Route 2. Exit I-65 west at Rt. 2 toward Lowell to Hendricks Road, then south to the "T" at Belshaw. East (left) on Belshaw to the first right (Chase Street) and south for one mile.

 

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8th Annual Youth Astronomy Camp 2013

Volunteers from the Calumet Astronomical Society and astronomy professors from Purdue University Calumet will conduct activities at the PUC campus and the Conway Observatory at Buckley Homestead on July 27 and August 3.

8th Annual Youth Astronomy Camp
“Let’s Look INSIDE Our Universe!”

Young astronomers! Explore with enthusiastic members of the Calumet Astronomical Society (C.A.S.) and knowledgeable Professors from Purdue University Calumet, in two special sessions at the dark-sky sited Conway Observatory at Buckley Homestead near Lowell, Indiana! On consecutive Saturdays, July 27th and August 3rd, 2013, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., join with 6th through 12th grade students to “look inside” many of the astronomy concepts, instruments and celestial objects that comprise modern astronomy! Let’s explore!

 

• Use and view through telescopes for two full evenings!*
• Explore light waves, eyeballs, sundials and prisms!
• View lunar geology, craters, mountains and valleys!
• Examine real meteorites! Remember “space rocks”!
• Watch the building of a comet, right in front of you!
• Find out how big AND small our solar system is!
• Discover what’s in our sun and other stars!
• See how different kinds of telescopes work!
• Learn what’s in galaxies, nebulae, star clusters!
• Use a special SAFE solar telescope to explore our sun!

*Excluding potential severe weather conditions, these programs will be held “rain, clouds or clear skies”. Actual telescope use is possible only if the weather (sky) is clear. Alternate presentations will be held if telescope observing is not possible. 

*In the event of possible inclement/severe weather, campers should check the website at www.LakeCountyParks.com or call the “CAS Hotline” at 773.639.5491, both of which will be updated by 3 p.m. on each of the two Saturdays of the program.

General Information: This program is aimed at sharing the wonders, excitement and fantastic realms of astronomy and the universe surrounding us with students from 6th to 12 graders. Parental supervision is highly encouraged and required for youth in grades 6th through 8th. Only registered participants and their chaperones are permitted to be present during the programs.

Program Details: The programs will be held at the Conway Observatory at Buckley Homestead at 4 p.m. on both Saturdays. Check-in on the first day is at 3:30 p.m. at the Observatory. Please bring lawn chairs for seating and park in the Visitor’s Parking Lot (the first one) closest to the road, with car lights pointed away from the Observatory.

• Cost is $40 per student ($5 for each additional youth in the same family), which includes a one-year individual membership in the C.A.S. with full benefits
• Advance registration is required, call 219-769-PARK
• Please register as early as possible, as the total number of spaces is limited on a “first-come” basis...please call!
• On both Saturdays, programs will last 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
• On SESSION ONE Saturday, July 27th, please bring your own “brown bag meals and beverages” for each family member for a 6 p.m. meal break
• On SESSION TWO Saturday, August 3rd, the meal (grilled hotdogs and hamburgers, drinks and snacks) will be provided for each registered participant and their chaperone (any special food consumption/allergy or diet considerations must be addressed and supplied by each family)

Click here for printable copy of the Youth Astronomy Camp "Look Inside the Universe" brochure

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NIRo Overview

Cutting edge astronomical research and project-oriented science education is in the offing, thanks to a $150,000 National Science Foundation grant Purdue University Calumet has received and will apply to the purchase of a state-of-the art, high-powered robotic telescope.

According to Purdue Calumet Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy Adam Rengstorf, the Northwest Indiana Robotic (NIRo) Telescope will contribute to expanded astronomical knowledge through high-quality research, advanced Purdue Calumet astronomical and physics course and laboratory curricula, improved science education in area middle schools and robust opportunities for community outreach activities.
The 20-inch, advanced Ritchey-Chretien reflecting telescope will be equipped with a thermoelectrically cooled CCD (charge-coupled device) imager, capable of producing a distortion-free image covering a field of view nearly as large as the full earth moon.

NIRo will be housed at the Calumet Astronomy Center at Buckley Homestead County Park in Lowell. Already on the site is the Thomas Conway Observatory, which is operated by the volunteers of the Calumet Astronomical Society. The location provides a darker sky for better, more unobstructed viewing than other northwest Indiana location, including Purdue Calumet.

"The NIRo observatory will provide a platform for education and research featuring rich datasets of various astronomical phenomena," Slavin said. "Purdue Calumet students will soon have the ability to learn the science of astronomy through discovery from authentic data that they themselves obtain with the robotic telescope."

Rengstorf added, "The NIRo Telescope will enable laboratory sections of our 200-level astronomy courses to be completely revamped to incorporate actual data. More advanced observational experiments will be available to our physics majors, independent research projects will also be possible, and there is the potential for cross-over projects with engineering, mathematics and computer science students."

Robert Rivers, dean of Purdue Calumet's School of Education, calls the NIRo Telescope "an exciting addition to the earth/space science curriculum" of local middle and high schools. "Purdue Calumet's Center for Science and Technology Education will work with physicists at Purdue Calumet to design exciting, hands-on astronomy projects using the robotic telescope that may allow secondary students to either study known sky objects and events or, even better, to make original discoveries of their own," he said.

The $300,000 project is a collaborative effort of Purdue University Calumet and astronomy/physics professors Rengstorf and Shawn Slavin, along with the volunteers of the Calumet Astronomical Society and the Lake County Parks and Recreation Department. All are partners in the development of the Calumet Astronomy Center (CAC), which is assuming a role of coordinating astronomical education, outreach and research in northwest Indiana.

Purdue Calumet is contributing an additional $50,000 to the project. Fundraising efforts are underway to secure the remaining $100,000. Donations may be made to Purdue University Calumet (CAC on the memo line, please) and can be mailed to PUC Office of Advancement/Lawshe Hall, 2200 169th Street, Hammond, IN 46323-2094. For more information about the project contact Prof. Rengstorf at adamwr@calumet.purdue.edu or visit www.calumet.purdue.edu/cac/

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For reservations and more information about the Lake County Parks Call 219-769-PARK
Mon-Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm Central Time (Chicago Time)

Lake County Parks and Recreation Department Corporate Office
8411 East Lincoln Highway, Crown Point, Indiana 46307
Just west of Deep River WaterparK 4.5 miles east of I-65 on Route 30