Keep Looking Up!

Stars are distant versions of our Sun, glowing balls of gas held together by gravity.  Despite the large number of stars in our February sky, the distances between them are vast.  Look up into your sky tonight.  Hot stars appear blue.  Cool stars appear red.  Medium temperature stars appear white.  How do astronomers know about these amazing lights in our night sky?  How far away are these stars?  Of what are these stars made?

All are invited to Northeast Nebraska Astronomy Club (NENAC) Friday, February 12 at 7pm at the Lyons Library and Saturday, February 13 at 7pm at the Decatur Sears Center.  There Pastor Gary Fugman will take you on an adventure to the bright stars of the February night sky.  Distances, colors, temperatures and a realistic view of the brightness of the distant suns of the winter sky will be discussed.  Sizes of February stars will be explained.  Even more amazing, we will learn more about how stars change their size and color as they travel down the road of a star’s lifetime.  Free star charts for February will be handed out and explained.  Also, recent awards from the Astronomical League’s Lunar Program will be presented.

Then, weather permitting, all are invited to view the colorful, distant suns overhead through large astronomical telescopes.  The planet Jupiter will also be in view.  Friday observing will be south of Lyons at the Cory and Tracie Martin residence.  Saturday observing will be at the Fugman Observatory in Decatur.  You are invited to bring your telescope or binoculars to view the night sky.  Please dress warmly for our February evenings.

For more information on this and future NENAC activities, please google “nenacstars” or call Pastor Gary Fugman at 349-1953 and Keep Looking Up!