Sidewalk Astronomy Carnival!

As you may be aware, 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy. My good friends at the Science Centre have informed me that there's a fun astro event to be held right at your neighbourhood sidewalk megamall!

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Sidewalk Astronomy Carnival

In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009, Science Centre Singapore and The Astronomical Society of Singapore (TASOS) together with our partners, HISTORY(TM), StarHub and Vivo City, is bringing to Singaporeans a Sidewalk Astronomy Carnival. The Carnival will provide a unique opportunity for the public to gain an understanding of astronomy through observations of the sky and related educational talks, activities and documentaries that bring enjoyment and edutainment to both young and old. The public will be able to get up close and personal with the Moon and Saturn through telescopes set up on site.

Date: 1-2 May 2009, Friday & Saturday
Time: 6pm – 10pm
Venue: Vivo City Skypark

Program

6:00 – 6:30 Astronomy projects for kids/families

6:30 – 7:00 Stage games by emcee + FAQs

7:00 – 7:45 History Channel Screening of The Universe (The Moon)

7:50 Welcome Mdm Ellen Lee, MP for Sembawang GRC & Adviser to Woodlands GRC

8:00 Telescope viewing starts

8:00 – 9:00 “The Night Sky and our Solar System” Talk by Mr Kalaimani s/o Retnasamy (Founder member and Hon Secretary, TASOS)

9:00 – 9:15 Stage games by emcee + FAQs

9:15 – 10:00 History Channel Screening of The Universe (Saturn – Lord of the Rings)

10:00 Close

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If you are curious about what Saturn looks like through a small telescope under good seeing conditions, here's a nice video:



"Sidewalk" star parties tend to focus on the Moon and planets, because these are easier targets in the city sky, which is awash with the orange glow of light pollution.

To see the more spectacular deep sky objects such as nebulae and galaxies, you may not need a bigger telescope, but you MUST go to a better dark sky location. I'm sure Teck is now at a more stargazing-conducive location than any of us here in Singapore; do check out some of his photos.

However, the upside of a such convenient location is that if the seeing conditions aren't so great, you can just head indoors and stuff your face silly with some of that famous Vivo City kueh tutu!

I think I'll turn up with me olde SP-C80.

Fresh Brainz fanz, if you find a guy with the rustiest scope you've ever seen... that would be me.