Stars Over Yellowstone
2010 Dates & Speakers
July 9-10, 2010 – Dr. Joe Shaw: Montana State University
“Green and red night skies”
- The night sky is sometimes painted with green and red colors by the Aurora Borealis. Dr. Shaw’s presentation will use photographs and diagrams to explain the cause of these colors and to share their beauty. He will talk about how aurora can be detected, along with how to observe and photograph this night-time wonder when it appears throughout our sky.
August 6-7, 2010 – Ryan Hannahoe: MSU’s Space Public Outreach Team
“Eye on the Big Sky”
- Montana’s dry climate and dark skies make it a great place to explore the night-time sky. Join Ryan and learn how to find your way around with star charts and constellations. See the objects that Galileo saw, and compare those views with close-up views that were taken by space probes to gain a greater understanding of the natural world around us.
For over 12 years the Southwest Montana Astronomical Society, along with the National Parks Service and the Museum of the Rockies, have hosted a star-party under the dark-skies of Yellowstone National Park. Astronomy club members come down from Bozeman, as well as other astronomers from Montana and Idaho, to descend on the Madison campground for a weekend of star-gazing.
We are always happy to have traveling astronomers to join us for the star party, so bring your scopes.
Typical weekend:
Friday Night:
- Guest speaker at the Madison Amphitheater (approximately 9:00 or 9:30 p.m., check with the park website for exact times).
- Star-party directly following speaker (approximately 10:00 p.m.).
Saturday:
- Solar-gazing at Old Faithful – 2:00 through 5:00 p.m.
Saturday Night:
- Guest speaker at the Madison Amphitheater.
- Star-party directly following speaker.
Image credit: Ryan M. Hannahoe
Exposure Time: 4.5 hours
Equipment Used: Takahashi FCT150, Bisque Paramount ME, STL11000XMC CCD
Location: New Mexico Skies, Mayhill – New Mexico