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Mars
Facts
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Celestron's Mars Opposition Event Page
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July 10 - Aug 28 |
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| The Amateur Observers’ Society of NY | Freeport, NY | ||||
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August 2-26 |
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| Griffith Observatory Mars Events | Griffith Park, CA | ||||
| August 15-16 | |||||
| West Newton, MA | |||||
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| August 16 & 23 | |||||
| Nashville, TN | |||||
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| August 21 | |||||
| Amityville, NY | |||||
| August 22 | |||||
| Torrance, CA | |||||
August 23 |
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| Star Gazing Run, Miata Club | Mount Pinos, CA | ||||
| Saturday Nights at Chabot Space & Science Center | Oakland, CA | ||||
| Astrotec Telescope Demonstration | Oakdale, NY | ||||
| Northwest Suburban Astronomers | McHenry County, IL | ||||
| Picnic On Mars & Chicago Astronomical Society | Near Kankakee, IL | ||||
| Annapolis, MD | |||||
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August
25-28
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| H.R. MacMillan Space Centre | Vancouver, BC | ||||
August
27
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| San Mateo County Astronomical Society | San Mateo, CA | ||||
| Mars in Our Midst | Calistoga, CA | ||||
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August
28
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| Mars Public Star Party | Ferndale, WA | ||||
| Adler Planetarium | Chicago, IL | ||||
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| August 29-31 | |||||
| Mars Desert Research Station Mars Party | Near Hanksville, UT | ||||
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| August 29 | |||||
| Christian Association of Stellar Explorers | Eastern OK | ||||
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| August 30 | |||||
| Mars Gaze | Montgomery, AL | ||||
| Mars Star Party | Artist Point, WA | ||||
| Ott Planetarium | Ogden, UT | ||||
| Mt Tamalpais Astronomy Program | San Rafael, CA | ||||
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| For additional Mars Events, please visit the Planetary Society's Mars Events page: http://www.planetary.org/marswatch2003/events.html | |||||
July 10-August 28, 2003
The Amateur Observers’ Society of NY Observing Sessions
The Amateur Observers’ Society of NY, in cooperation with the Freeport Dept. of Recreation, presents free public observing sessions on Thursdays, July 10-Aug 28, 8-10 PM, at Waterfront Park, south end of Long Beach Ave, in Freeport, NY. Bring your equipment or use theirs and learn about the night sky and especially our nearest planetary neighbor, Mars, during it’s closest approach in recorded history.
Canceled only in the case of rain.
For more information contact the Amateur Observers’ Society of NY web site.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.aosny.org | ||
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August 2-26, 2003
Griffith Observatory Mars Events
Mars Star Parties - special late-night free public star parties sponsored by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society and the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers will be held on the five Saturday nights in August from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m. at the Satellite (4800 Western Heritage Way) to give people a chance to see Mars through a telescope. These sessions are timed to allow observations when Mars is high in the sky and they are held at the Observatory Satellite facility.
Each session will be preceded at 10 p.m. by a free presentation and workshop
by Tim Robertson, Training Coordinator of the Association of Lunar and
Planetary Observers (ALPO), who will show how to hone your Mars observations
into a record of scientific value. Participants will then observer Mars
through telescopes provided by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society,
the Los Angeles Sidewalk astronomers, and those of other local amateur
astronomers in addition to those operated by the Observatory. It is not
necessary to attend the presentations to view Mars.
A special Mars party will be held on the night of Tuesday, August 26th
to celebrate when Mars is closest to earth. On the night of the closest
approach he Observatory will provide all-night (8 p.m. – 3 a.m.)
viewing and celebration (weather permitting) from the south lawn of the
Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage (4700 Western Heritage Way – adjacent
to the Griffith Observatory Satellite).
MARSpectacular.
For More Information Visit the Griffith Observatory Web Site.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.griffithobs.org/mars2003.html | ||
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Friday, August 15 & Saturday, August 16
Boston Telescope
Telescope Demonstration and Star Party, West Newton, MA
Boston Telescope, a valued Celestron dealer is gearing up for the Mars Opposition with a two-day telescope demonstration and Star Party. Take this opportunity to test drive some popular Celestron scopes while learning more about the Mars Opposition. A Celestron representative will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. This event will take place from 4pm - 10pm on Friday and 10am - 4pm on Saturday. For more information call the number listed below or send an e-mail to info@bostontelescopes.com. For product information please visit the Boston Telescope Web Site: http://www.bostontelescope.com/
Call for additional details and in store
specials.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.bostontelescope.com | ||
E-Mail:
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info@bostontelescopes.com | |||
Phone:
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617-244-9901 | ||
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Saturday, August 16 & August 23
Public Star Party, Nashville, TN
The Sudekum Planetarium has scheduled two FREE public star parties in August to take advantahe of Mars’ close approach to Earth. Through telescopes, Mars will appear larger and brighter than it usually does. Members of the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society will set up their telescopes for all to look for the various features on Mars including white polar caps. The first event is on Saturday evening, August 16, from 9:30 to 11:30 PM at the Longhunter State Park Visitors’ Information Center. The address is 2910 Hobson Pike 37076.
The second FREE public star party is set for Saturday evening, August 23, from 8:00 to 11:00 PM at the model airplne field in Edwin Warner Park. Please make reservations by calling the Warner Park Nature Center at 615-352-6299.
For more information visit the web site.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.sudekumplanetarium.com | ||
Phone:
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615-352-6299 | ||
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Thursday, August 21
Berger Bros.
Telescope Demonstration and Star Party, Amityville, NY
One of Celestron's valued dealers, Berger Bros. is putting on a telescope demonstration and Star Party to celebrate the upcoming Mars Opposition. Learn about the Mars Opposition and test drive some of Celestron's popular scopes. You can also get information from a Celestron representative who will be on hand to answer questions. This event will take place from 4pm - 10pm. For more information, call the number listed below or send an e-mail to scopes@berger-bros.com. Product information is available on Berger Bros Web Site: http://www.berger-bros.com.
Call for additional details and in store specials.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.berger-bros.com | ||
E-Mail:
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scopes@berger-bros.com | |||
Phone:
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631-264-4160 | ||
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Thursday, August 22, 9:00-10:30 pm
Paul's Photo
Mars Viewing Party, Torrance CA
Join Paul’s Photo’s staff and the Celestron factory reps
for the Astronomical Event of the Century! Mar’s proximity and
a Celestron telescope will present spectacular viewing. Next to the Moon
Mars will be clearly the brightest object in the sky. A modest “backyard” telescope
will resolve planetary features on Mars. See Mars through a state-of-the-art
Celestron telescope at the Viewing Party. If weather permits we will
see the famous mare, mountain ranges and polar ice cap of Mars. The Mars
Viewing Party will occur in the parking lot at Paul’s Photo. It’s
free. No reservations required. Bring the family and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime
astronomical event! Paul's is located at 23845 Hawthorne Blvd. in Torrance.
For more information call: 310-375-7014 or visit www.paulsphoto.com.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.paulsphoto.com | ||
E-Mail:
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310-375-7014 | |||
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August 23, 2003, 6:00pm-11:00pm
Star Gazing Run
Miata Club
Mount Pinos, CA
The Miata club is going to drive a beautiful twisty road in the mountains in Frazier park at sunset to the 8,800 ft Mount Pinos (pronounced Peenyos). This is the premier stargazing site in Southern California! Your host/guide/astronomer is Hal Jandorf and he will point out the stars and constellations in a pristine summer sky while the Milky Way wheels above you. After the lecture, we'll explore the realm of the universe through telescopes. Sparkling star clusters, wispy nebulae and distant galaxies can be viewed. Planet Mars will be visible at it's BEST! After the stargazing is over, we'll drive down the mountain top-down under the stars! Warning: Night temperatures in the mountains can drop to freezing, even in the summer! Prepare and dress appropriately (down jackets, hats, gloves, dress in layers!) Also, bring your binoculars as well. The "Best Rest Inn" near Flying-J" in Frazier Park will take reservations (661-248-2700) for those who want to stay the night. Sunday morning breakfast at "Big John's" in Frazier Park will top your star-studded memories. DIRECTIONS: Meet at CARROW's (closed) Restaurant in Santa Clarita (23911 Calgrove Blvd). Take the CALGROVE exit East from the 5 freeway - Carrow's is on the left. Carrows is CLOSED so we'll use the parking lot for the start of the run. You're on your own to find dinner before the run! First car leaving the parking lot at 6:30pm. For more information contact: Hal Jandorf E-Mail: HAL50@msn.com, 805-494-9347.
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Contact
Information
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E-Mail:
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HAL50@msn.com | ||
Phone:
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805-494-9347 | |||
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August 23-September 6, 2003
Saturday Nights at Chabot Space & Science Center
Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland, CA
Weather permitting, volunteers from the Eastbay Astronomical Society
(eastbayastro.org) will extend the free viewing hours at the Chabot Space & Science
Center (chabotspace.org) in Oakland California on Saturday nights from
dusk until 2:00 AM now through September 6th. This will give a better
opportunity to see Mars higher in the sky during the time when it is
still a morning object. Observing will be through Leah, the 8-inch refractor
at the observatory. For more information e-mail: info@chabotspace.org
or call
510- 336-7300.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.chabotspace.org | ||
Web
Site:
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http://www.eastbayastro.org | ||
E-Mail:
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info@chabotspace.org | |||
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August 23, 2003
Astrotec
Telescope Demonstration, Oakdale, NY
Astrotec, a valued Celestron dealer, is gearing up for the Mars Opposition with a telescope demonstration and Mars information session. Take this opportunity to test drive some popular Celestron scopes while learning more about the Mars Opposition. A Celestron representative will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. This event will take place from 11am - 5pm. Call 631-563-9009 for additional details and in store specials.
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Contact
Information
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Phone:
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631-563-9009 | |||
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August 23, 2003
Northwest Suburban Astronomers
Marengo Ridge Conservation Area, McHenry County, IL
View Mars with the Northwest Suburban Astronomer during one of their many Public Observing sessions! Members make their telescopes available to the public for viewing the night sky. If you are interested in astronomy or in purchasing a telescope, this is a good place to get some info.
For more information or for directions to the site, contact Mel Robinson or visit the NSA web site.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.nsaclub.org | ||
E-Mail: |
melrobinson@attbi.com | |||
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Saturday, August 23rd, 3:00 P.M.
PICNIC ON MARS & Chicago Astronomical Society STAR PARTY
7 miles
west of Kankakee, Illinois
Join the Chicago Astronomical Society as they view Mars. There will be solar observing with H-Alpha scope. There will be a Messier Marathon. Prizes for the most number found. FOOD and Beverages available. Cost per person: $14.50, reservations required by August 1st. It will not be necessary for you to bring anything but yourself, a lawn chair, and tent (if you need one). And don’t forget your scope! If you don’t have one remember they have loaner scopes for rent! We guarantee you will not go away hungry. THE SITE IS DARK. Facilities are available on site.
For more information visit their web site.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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Saturday, Aug 23, 2003
Mars Under the Stars Party, Annapolis, MD
Grab your telescope and your sleeping bag and come to an all-night Mars Under the Stars party sponsored by Anne Arundel Community College’s Astronomy Club Saturday, Aug. 23. The free family event begins at 6 p.m. at the Pascal Center for Performing Arts. View an exhibit about Mars exploration at the Pascal Center for Performing Arts Gallery, bid for astronomy memorabilia at a silent auction and for a new telescope in a live auction and hear the latest information on Mars from two experts. Then, move to the college’s Astronomy Building at 10 p.m. for an all-night stargazing party to view the Red Planet and to raise awareness of the effects of light pollution. For information, call John Kline, part-time AACC instructor and coordinator of the Mars Under the Stars event, 410-798-6625 (after 6PM) or the AACC science office, 410-777-2260.
August 25-28, 2003
Mars Opposition Viewing Event
Vancouver, BC
Join the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and Celestron every evening between Monday August 25 - Thursday August 28 for a once in a lifetime Mars viewing experience. During these four days, Mars is closer to Earth than any time before in human history and the opportunity to see the planet in great detail is very exciting for people all over the world. This free four-day public event runs nightly between 9:30 PM (10:30 PM at English Bay) until 1:00 AM with Space Centre staff and volunteers from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada assisting the public with breathtaking views of the Red Planet through a variety of telescopes provided by Celestron. For more information send an e-mail to ddodge@hrmacmillanspacecentre.com or visit the website: http://www.hrmacmillanspacecentre.com/special_detail_marswatch.htm
August 25-26 - 10:30 PM - 1:00 AM
English Bay near the Inuk Shuk Sculpture off Beach Ave.
August 27-28 - 9:30 PM - 1:00 AM
Vanier Park behind the Space Centre near the Capt. Vancouver Statue
For more information visit their web site or send an e-mail.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.hrmacmillanspacecentre.com | ||
E-Mail:
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ddodge@hrmacmillanspacecentre.com | |||
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August 27, 8:00pm-11:00pm
Mars Viewing
San Mateo County Astronomical Society
San Mateo, CA
College of San Mateo and the San Mateo County Astronomical Society
are hosting a Mars presentation and telescope viewing event at the
Planetaruim on the College of San Mateo's campus. The presentation
about Mars – the red planet - will begin at 8:00 PM and will
be followed by telescope viewing of Mars and other celestial delights.
Park free in all student lots only - no machine ticket needed. If student
parking lots nearby planetarium are full, use lot 15 on the west side
of campus. CSM is located at 1700 West Hillsdale Blvd off HW 92 in
San Mateo. For info about this event, call CSM at
650-574-6256 or
the San Mateo County Astronomical Society at
650-341-3572, or email
mgwe@pacbell.net.
For more information visit their web site or send an e-mail.
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Contact
Information
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E-Mail:
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mgwe@pacbell.net | ||
Phone:
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650-574-6256 or 650-341-3572 | |||
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August 27, 9:00pm-12:00am
Mars in Our Midst
Clos Pegase Wintery, Calistoga, CA
To celebrate the close approach of Mars in August 2003, Clos Pegase Winery in Calistoga, CA will be open from 9:00pm until Midnight on August 27 for visitors who would like to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event from an extraordinary vantage point. Clos Pegase is located south of the town of Calistoga, near the top of the Napa Valley, well sheltered from city lights. Telescopes and Astronomy experts will be on hand to make this special evening complete. A narrated multi-media presentation of the celestial bodies, with emphasis on Mars and the Pegasus Constellation, will be the high point of the evening starting at 10:00pm. The public is welcome and there is no charge to visit (1060 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, CA 94515) for more information call: 707-942-4981 or visit www.clospegase.com.
For more information visit their web site.
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Contact
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Web
Site:
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http://www.clospegase.com | ||
Phone:
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707-942-4981 | |||
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Thursday, August 28th, 2003, 7:00 PM
Mars Public Star Party
Pioneer Park,Ferndale, Washington
Mars will be closer to Earth this season than any time before in human history. will be at Pioneer Park in Ferndale with all telescopes showcasing Mars. The event will begin indoors at the Boy's and Girl's club with a slide show presentation on Mars. The slideshow will discuss the past NASA missions to Mars, and what we have discovered and theorize to date. The event will then move out to the park for some breathtaking views of the Red Planet through some of the club's finest telescopes. Be sure to reserve this on your calendar, you don't want to miss this once in a lifetime event!
For more information visit their web site or send an e-mail.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.whatcomastronomy.org | ||
E-Mail:
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inquiry@whatcomastronomy.org | |||
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August 28 - Sept. 5
Adler Planetarium
Mars Observing Events, Chicago, IL
The Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Illinois is presenting a whole month of events celebrating the Mars Opposition with Friday night star parties. The observation sessions will take place on the south lawn of the Adler Planetarium to see Mars, our neighbor planet, in its closest proximity to Earth in thousands of years! Telescopes will be available, and the Adler’s Doane Observatory will be open for Mars viewing.
- Thursday, August 28, 9:00 pm - Midnight
- Friday, August 29, 9:00 pm - Midnight
- Friday, September 5, 9:00 pm - Midnight
For information on all of the special events planned around
the Mars Opposition at the Adler Planetarium, including directions to
the events
visit their web site or call.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.adlerplanetarium.org | ||
Phone:
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312-922-STAR (312-922-7827) | |||
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August 29-31, 2003
Mars Desert Research Station Mars Party
Mars Desert Research Station near Hanksville, Utah
Imagine
observing Mars this summer from a place that looks like the Red Planet-
complete with
a fully functional Mars Habitat and Observatory.
The Mars Socity invites you to attend a Mars Party held at the Mars Desert
Research Station near Hanksville, Utah. Bring your telescope, cameras
and camping gear (and plenty of food and water) to camp out near the
HAB. Observing 
sessions will be held nightly with images updated of Mars
from the Celestron CGE 1400 telescope in the Observatory. HAB and Observatory
tours will be available as well as Dr. Robert Zubrin, the visionary whose
work has set the stage for the human exploration to Mars. Contests will
be held throughout the weekend with prizes given by the Mars Society
and Celestron. You could even win the opportunity to don
a space suit and go on a simulated Mars EVA.
For more information, directions and a list of suggested items to bring, visit the Mars Society’s web site.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.marssociety.org | ||
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August 29, 2003
Mars Opposition Party
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
The Christian Association of Stellar Explorers (Siloam Springs, Arkansas) will be hosting a Mars Opposition Party on August 29th at their observatory, Heavenview in eastern Oklahoma starting at 8:30 pm.
They will be hosting a Mars viewing party and will have displays available before dark with information on Mars.
For more information contact Patrick Carr via e-mail, or visit their web site. They will have a main link on their web site announcing the event starting in July.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.christian-astronomy.org | ||
E-Mail:
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thecarrs@tcac.net | |||
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Saturday, August 30th, 2003
Mars Gaze
Montgomery, AL
The Auburn (Alabama) Astronomical Society, in cooperation with the W. A. Gayle Planetarium in Montgomery, will host a public Mars Gaze on Saturday, August 30. Telescopes will be set up to give you the opportunity of your lifetime to see Mars as you have never and will never see it again in your lifetime. The Planetarium will be showing the movie War of the Worlds in the auditorium prior to the telescopic viewing of Mars. Please check the W. A. Gayle Planetarium Web page under "Upcoming Events" at www.tsum.edu/planet, or call 334-241-4799.
For more information visit their web site.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.www.tsum.edu/planet | ||
Phone:
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334-241-4799 | |||
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Saturday, August 30th, 2003, 8:30 PM
Mars Star Party
Artist Point, Washington
The Whatcom Association of Celestial Observers is holding a second special star party just for this astrial event. Artist’s Point is the best location in Whatcom county for this event, don’t miss it. This is the closest apparation of Mars in recorded history! Please plan on joining them for this once in a lifetime opportunity.
For more information visit their web site.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.whatcomastronomy.org | ||
E-Mail:
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inquiry@whatcomastronomy.org | |||
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Saturday, August 30, 8:30 - 11 p.m.
Ott Planetarium
Public Star Party, Ogden, Utah
The Ott Planetarium would like to invite you to a Public Star Party at Antelope Island State Park, at the Whiterock Bay Trailhead. This is the closest that Mars will have been for hundreds of years. You should be able to get the best views of Mars possible through good quality telescopes. Potentially visible will be the 3 day old crescent Moon along with Mars, Uranus, Neptune, nebulae, galaxies, and globular clusters. Star parties are cancelled if the sky is overcast. Ending times are “soft” for star parties, we usually stay as long as people are interested. Co-sponsored by the Ogden Astronomical Society . The star party is free but there is an $8 per car admission fee for the state park. Please note that the park gates close at 9:00 p.m., so you must arrive at the park before 9:00.
For more information visit their web site.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://physics.weber.edu/planet/events.html | ||
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Saturday, August 30
Mt Tamalpais Astronomy Program
Mars Lecture & Observing Session, San Rafael, California
The Mt Tamalpais Astronomy Program presents a lecture: "The
New Era of Mars Exploration: Following the Water" by Dr. Ginny
Gulick of NASA-Ames Research Center. The lecutre will take place
in the Mountain Theater at 8:30pm. The lecture will be followed
by viewing through telescopes in the Rock Spring Parking Lot.
This event is part of an on-going series of astronomy programs
sponsored by the Mt Tamalpais State Park and is organized by
the Mt Tamalpais Interpretive Association and the San Francisco
Amateur Astronomers.
For more information visit their web site.
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Contact
Information
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Web
Site:
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http://www.mttam.net | ||
Phone:
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415-455-5370 | ||
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