STAR PARTY- EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL WONDERS OF THE NIGHT SKY
Wednesday, July 23rd from 9:30pm to
Midnight
The beauty of nature doesn't end when the sun goes down.
Enjoy the spectacle of the night sky with the Amateur Astronomers
Association of Pittsburgh.
The evening will begin with refreshments and possible a short program
about astronomy inside the nature center. Once it gets completely dark,
we will go outside and watch the stars come out. Plan to stay
late – it won’t get completely dark until after 10 p.m., and the moon
will come up at 11:17 p.m.
The star party will go on if it is partly cloudy, but not if it is
raining. If conditions are doubtful, call the nature center at
412-741-6136. The outgoing message will confirm that the party will be
held, or if it will be postponed. July 24 is our rain date. There is no
charge, but donations to the AAAP are appreciated. Learn more about
AAAP at www.3ap.org.
During the star party, members of the AAAP will set up their
telescopes, answer your questions and give a “guided tour" of the sky –
an introduction to the constellations and brighter stars. You will be
able to look at stars, planets, deep sky objects and the moon, through
a telescope or binoculars. Or just lie on your back and watch for
meteors (shooting stars) and watch the constellations.
If you come:
·Bright lights can disrupt star gazing and
affect night adapted vision, avoid headlights or flashlights in the field area.
Any flashlights should have a red lens or red film over them.
·Any kind of smoke tends to leave a film on
optical surfaces, so for the sake of the sensitive portable telescopes, do not
smoke near the telescopes.
·Set up your blanket far away from the
telescope area, to avoid being stepped or tripped over.
·You don’t need to bring anything but if you
have basic binoculars (such as those used for bird watching) they can help you
enjoy the stars. If you have a portable telescope, bring it
along.
·Bring a blanket or folding lounge chair if
you would like to lie back and gaze up at the stars.
Audience: Open to the Public
Admission: FREE but donations to the AAAP are appreciated.
Location: Fern Hollow Nature Center
A BUGS LIFE HIKE AND MOVIE NIGHT
Wednesday, August 20th from 7:00 to
10:00pm
Fun for the whole family. Join Fern Hollow as we celebrate
the end of summer with a hike in the meadow to learn about and maybe
even catch butterflies, lighting bugs, beattles and more. At
dark, kick back with the family and enjoy a "Bugs Life".
Smores and bonfire provided. Bring your own refreshments.
Audience: Open to the Public
Admission: FREE but donations to FHNC are appreciated.
Location: Fern Hollow Nature Center
RAIN BARREL & WATER CONSERVATION WORKSHOP
Saturday, August 23rd from 9:30 to
11:00am
Join the Beaver County Conservation District and Penn State Cooperative
Extension for a workshop on water conservation, store water management,
using rain gardens, and the benefits of rain barrels. Cost
for workshop includes all materials and instruction on how to
make a rain barrel. *Preregistration is recommended for the
workshop, contact FHNC at 412-741-6136 to reserve a spot by August
18th. Limited Seating.
Audience: Open to the Public
Admission: $30 per person
Location: Fern Hollow Nature Center
MUSHROOM IDENTIFICATION TO GENUS
Saturday, September 6th from 9:30am to
4:30pm
This day long mushroom workshop with the Western PA Mushroom Club will
cover over 30 genera of mushrooms with a focus on mushrooms that are
commonly found locally. Cost for workshop includes a "guide
to Mushroom Descriptions", a "Key to common Gilled Mushrooms", an
extensive handout on over 30 genera, the book "How to Identify
Mushrooms to Fenus II, Field Identification of Genera" by David Largen
and Harry Thiers, and introduction to microscopy, and lunch.
*Preregistration is required. To register call John Stuart at
724-443-6878 or email at jstuart @nauticom.net. Checks should
be mailed to WPMC, 1848 Fairhill Road, Allison Park, PA 15101
Audience: Open to the Public
Admission: $30 per person
Location: Fern Hollow Nature Center
INTRODUCTION TO MUSHROOMS
Sunday, September 7th from 1:00 to
4:00pm
Join the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club for a 3 hour workshop on
mushrooms, how to collect them, which ones are dangerous, the best and
where and when to hunt them. *Preregistration is
required. To register call John Stuart at 724-443-6878 or
email at jstuart @nauticom.net. Checks should be mailed to
WPMC, 1848 Fairhill Road, Allison Park, PA 15101
Audience: Open to the Public
Admission: $5 per person
Location: Fern Hollow Nature Center
