exploringIn Southwest Austin stargazers can seek constellations and more in the sky on a clear night. Our Stargazing Guide has tips and local events.

GEMINIIts brightest stars are Castor and Pollux, named for the twins in the Gemini myth.

Did you know?

Now open

MARCH 27: AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE STAR PARTYAttendees stargaze from ACC’s Round Rock campus observation deck. Children’s activities take place at 5:30 p.m. and are followed by Dr. Jim Heath presenting “Dark Energy: The Return of the Subtle Fluid” and stargazing with telescopes. 5:30–9:30 p.m. Free. 4400 College Park Drive, Round Rock. www.austincc.edu/astro/starparty.html

MARCH 27–MAY 9: PAINTER HALL TELESCOPE VIEWINGEach Friday and Saturday while The University of Texas is in session, the astronomy department hosts Painter Hall Telescope viewings. 8:30–10:30 p.m. Free. University of Texas, corner of 24th Street and Inner Campus Drive, Austin. Call 512-232-4265 for weather information. http://outreach.as.utexas.edu/public/painter.html

APRIL 2 AND MAY 7: GIRLSTART STARRY NIGHTSOn the first Thursday of each month, Girlstart’s new science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, Studio and Mini-Planetarium allows families to explore astronomy. 6–7 p.m. Free. Girlstart STEM Center, 1400 W. Anderson Lane, Austin. www.girlstart.org/our-programs/starry-nights

APRIL 8: BARTON CREEK NIGHT HIKE Members of the Southwest Austin–based organization Hill Country Outdoors start a 4-mile hike at 6:30 p.m. at the Zilker trailhead near the Barton Springs Pool. Participants should bring a headlamp or flashlight. 6:30 p.m. Free for members. Zilker trailhead. www.hillcountryoutdoors.com

APRIL 25: AUSTIN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY MONTHLY PUBLIC STAR PARTIESAAS members share their telescopes with the public to observe objects in the sky. 6–11 p.m. Free to attend; visitors to the park must pay parking fees. Canyon of the Eagles on Lake Buchanan, 16942 RR 2341, Burnet. www.austinastro.org

Nonprofit Texas Museum of Science & Technology, or

TXMOST, opened as Central Texas’ first science and

technology museum March 20 on Toro Grande Drive in Cedar Park.

TXMOST, formerly known as Austin Planetarium, was recently rebranded. For more information

visit www.txmost.org.  

In 150 A.D.   Greek scientist Ptolemy

published The Almagest.

the night skyCompiled by Kelli Weldon Design by Erin Behncke

April constellations

Star facts

URSA MINORalso known as the Little Dipper

The North Star, or Polaris, helps make up Ursa Minor, or the Little Bear constellation.

Polaris lies nearly in a direct line with the Earth’s axis “above” the North Pole and has been used for years as a guide star for travelers throughout the northern hemisphere.

Look for these in the sky about an hour after sunset.

AURIGAIts brightest star is Capella

ORION Orion is sinking into the western sky. 

Sources: Austin Astronomical Society Outreach Chair Larry Martin, Girlstart, International Dark-Sky Association, NASA

STARGAZING TIPUse a flashlight with red light to see (It takes more time

for eyes to adjust if using white light)

Stars are responsible for the

creation and distribution of heavy elements such as

carbon, nitrogen and oxygen.

The sun is

6,000 degrees Celsius

on the surface

15 million degrees Celsius

at the core.

1.3 million Earths could

fit inside the sun

Hypergiants,

the largest stars, may be

100 times bigger than the sun

C6

CARBONN

7

NITROGENO

8

OXYGEN

Austin-area stargazing events

In 2014 the International Dark-Sky Association designated the city of

Dripping Springs as the first International Dark Sky

Community in Texas for efforts to protect and preserve the character of the night sky

with smart lighting.

C°

The sun is the only star in our solar

system.

HistorySTARGAZING TIPS

Bring

binoculars

Dress

accordingly

for weather

These 48 constellations formed the basis for our

modern constellation

system.

Polaris

Castor

Pollux

The book contained a

catalog of 1,022 stars arranged into

48 constellations.

This list is not comprehensive. Details are subject to change; call ahead to RSVP.

Southwest Austin Edition • March 2015 31