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Friday, August 13, 2010

8:30 PM to 11:59 PM

UPDATE: We have decided to reschedule this event due to less than ideal weather conditions. Members of the general public are welcome to join us out at the observatory on August 14, from 9:00 PM until 11:59 PM. Please dress warmly! Please check the "observatory" page to find a Google Map showing the location of the observatory. Call 403-973-STAR for more details or an update. Thank you!

Perseid Meteor Shower

Come out to the Big Sky Observatory on August 13 and enjoy the annual Perseid Meteor Shower under a dark sky. This year there will be very little moonlight to interfere with the meteor shower and so we are expecting a magnificent display. The evening will begin with some lunar observing using the observatory telescope and will end by observing Jupiter and its four largest moons. The image below shows the configuration of Jupiter and its four largest moons at exactly 11:45 PM (MDT) on August 13, 2010. The yellow dot represents Europa, the white dot is Io, the orange dot is Ganymede, and the pale blue dot represents Callisto.




Tuesday, June 5, 2012

1:00 PM to 9:39 PM


Transit of Venus


Come watch as Venus passes in front of the Sun. The action begins at approximately 4:05 PM and lasts until sunset, which will occur at 9:39 PM. Unfortunately, the Sun sets before the transit ends, but we will be able to watch approximately 82% of the transit. The observatory telescope is equipped with a solar filter that makes viewing this event safe. You definitely don't want to miss this event because it will not happen again until December 11, 2117. The diagram below shows the path that Venus will take across the Sun, as seen from the Big Sky Observatory. This diagram was made by Steven van Roode.




Friday, December 21, 2012

8:00 PM to 11:59 PM

End of the World Star Party

Bring your Y2K survival gear and come join us at the Big Sky Observatory as the Ancient Mayan Calendar comes to an end. We will be observing the waxing gibbous Moon, Jupiter and its four large moons, and the Orion Nebula. We will also be keeping an eye out for Planet X, Nibiru, comets and asteroids, since all of these objects may collide with the Earth on that evening, according to doomsday theorists. In addition, we will be looking for UFO's full of aliens who plan to abduct us, enslave us, and then annihilate our planet.

 




Monday, August 22, 2044

4:00 PM to 11:59 PM

Total Solar Eclipse and Retirement Party

Come join us for the first total solar eclipse visible from the Big Sky Observatory. The excitement begins at 6:44 PM as the Moon begins to pass in front of the Sun. About an hour later, at approximately 7:40 PM, you will be standing in the shadow of the Moon. Totality will only last for one-minute and forty-five seconds, but it will be spectacular! Afterwards, watch as the Moon slowly moves away from the Sun, as both set in the western sky. The eclipse comes to an end exactly at sunset, but then the real party begins because this date also marks the official retirement of James Durbano - the founder of the Big Sky Astronomical Society. There will be cake and refreshments available as James ends his astronomy education career, which spanned nearly six decades! He will also be celebrating his 41st wedding anniversary on this day. So come on out and wish James all the best in his retirement. If you miss this total solar eclipse, the next one that will be visible from the Big Sky Observatory will not occur until September 14, 2099.