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

2012 CAS PUBLIC OBSERVATING DATES AT CONWAY OBSERVATORY

 

 

Click on photo for brochure

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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7th Annual Youth Astronomy Camp 2012

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 August 3, 4, 10 & 11.

Fee to be determined depending on activities (will post when determined)
Advance registration is required. Call 219-769-PARK
Check-in at PUC is 1 p.m. and dismissal is 4 p.m., rain or shine
Check-in at Conway is 8 p.m. and dismissal is 10:30 p.m. (in conditions of extreme weather the make up date is Aug. 18

Click photo at right for Youth Camp brochure

Session One: Friday, August 3 at Purdue University Calumet from 1 to 4 p.m.
Campers will meet in the lobby of the Gyte Building at PUC's Hammond campus. Friday's activities may include a planetarium show at the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana (to be confirmed) and creating a walking model of the solar system.

Session Two: Saturday, August 4 at PUC from 1 to 4 p.m.
Campers will again meet in the Gyte lobby. On Saturday, we will use the physics labs at PUC to build our own comet and learn the workings of telescopes.

Session Three: Friday, August 10 at Conway Observatory from 8-10:30 p.m.
CAS volunteers will conduct a rotation of stations where (1) campers will take an astrophotograph; (2) the Conway telescope will be used to locate constellations and planets; (3) campers will view a Space/Astronomy video highlighting careers in the field; (4) campers will use a star chart to draw and label the constellations; (5) night sky viewing will be hosted by CAS volunteers; (6) groups will tour NIRo, the Purdue Calumet Northwest Indiana Robotic Telescope.

For sessions three and four bring lawn chairs for seating and a flashlight covered with the cut off tip of a red balloon for night time use. In the event of rainy weather the class room will be used.

Session Four: Saturday, August 11 at Conway from 8-10:30 p.m.
Campers will complete the rotation stations not finished in session three.

General Information: The hands-on activities, recommended for students between 6th and 12th grade, keeps campers engaged in the exploration of the science of astronomy. Parental supervision is highly encouraged for all and required for youth in grades 6 – 8. The nominal fee includes a one-year membership to the Calumet Astronomical Society (a $40 value). Only registered participants and chaperones will be permitted during the program. Registrants who participate in at least three of the four sessions will be awarded a "Certificate of Beginning Astronomer" from CAS and PUC.

 

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Astrophotography Classes at Buckley Homestead

Conway Observatory at Buckley Homestead
TBA

The Calumet Astronomical Society will be conducting classes in Astrophotography this summer at the Thomas Conway Observatory in Lowell at Buckley Homestead County Park. During the eight weeks of classes participants will be treated to a comprehensive course covering all aspects of taking pictures with telescopes. No prior photography or astronomy experience is necessary. Class nights will combine lessons in Conway's media room and practical exercises using the observatory facilities. Equipment will be provided. Local astrophotographers Christopher Brownewell and Tom Pappalardo will share their expertise as instructors. For more information, see www.casonline.org/CAS/Astrophotographyclasses.html

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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