Star Shows Archive

"Astronomy From Here to Hawaii" Indoor Star Show April 8th 2006 at the Ice House

Morgan County Observatory Foundation announces the return of its lecture series to Berkeley Springs with a presentation by Kurt Woolslayer entitled "Astronomy from here to Hawaii" covering his work in amateur astronomy at Mauna Kea in Hawaii, Radio Jove in Greenbank WV, Frostburg Planetarium in MD and Paw Paw High here in Morgan County. This is a part of MCOF"s quarterly Indoor Star Show lecture series and will be held Saturday evening 7:30PM at the Ice House in downtown Berkeley Springs. There will be free "Night Sky" magazines from Sky & Telescope, free astronomy guides for beginners, refreshments, contests and door prizes. This will be the perfect event for folks of all ages to come learn about the stars. Information on spring night sky viewing, our local observatory and reducing light pollution will also be presented. Telescope viewing of the planet Saturn and the Moon will be held out back after the show. Admission to this event is free to all and donations are encouraged. MCOF would like to promote awareness of light pollution, intelligent lighting alternatives and encourage people to help keep our night skies dark. Morgan County is an identified dark sky site and MCOF would like everyone to help preserve this local natural resource. Anyone wanting more information encouraged to check out the website of the International Dark Sky Association at http://www.darksky.org .

MC Observatory Astronomy Day Events

Public Star Party at Observatory April 23, 2004 8:30PM

Astronomy Day will be celebrated across the country on Saturday April 24th with a theme of "Bringing Astronomy to the People". Morgan County Observatory Foundation will host two events this weekend, in a celebration of beauty of night skies. MCOF will hold a public Star Party Friday evening April 23rd at 8:00PM on the observatory grounds at Greenwood School. Four of the five planets visible to the naked eye will be viewed, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars & Venus; also the Orion nebula, and much more. Everyone is invited to come out and view the wonders of the night sky through the many wonderful telescopes available with the experts from the Foundation to guide you. If you have a telescope, you may bring it and get help on using it to view the heavens. Refreshments will be served.

Dr Jason Best to speak at Ice House April 24th 2004

MCOF is proud to bring to Morgan county a presentation by Dr. Jason Best, professor of Astrophysics at Shepard College entitled "The Universe, Past and Present". This is a part of MCOF's quarterly Indoor Star Show lecture series held Saturday evening 7PM at the Ice House in downtown Berkeley Springs. There will be free coupons for the new 'Night Sky' magazine from Sky & Telescope, free astronomy guides for beginners, refreshments, contests and door prizes. This will be the perfect event for folks of all ages to come learn about the stars. Information on spring night sky viewing, our local observatory and reducing light pollution will also be presented. If weather permits telescope viewing of the planets will be held out back after the show.

Admission to both events is free to all and donations are encouraged. Come out and see the construction progress on the Morgan County Observatory and get a peek through the powerful 16" Cassegrain telescope housed there. Informative exhibits, NASA/JPL movies, contests for kids and hands on astronomy activities will be present. MCOF recently became part of the Night Sky Network, a collaborative program between NASA's JPL and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific to provide hands on learning materials to astronomy clubs for star party attendees to use.

MCOF would like to promote awareness of light pollution, intelligent lighting alternatives and encourage people to help keep our night skies dark. Morgan County is an identified dark sky site and MCOF would like everyone to help preserve this local natural resource. Anyone wanting more information encouraged to check out the website of the International Dark Sky Association at http://www.darksky.org.

The Foundation would like to thank the following new or returning members and donators for their generous support: Barb Herrman, Bob & Peggy Sclater, United Way of Morgan & Berkeley County, Carrie Durst, The Town of Bath, Rob Campbell & Barbara Schrider, and Inspirations Restaurant. Member benefits include: quarterly newsletter, yearly calendar, voting rights at MCOF general meeting, admission to 'Members Only' events and notification of all events. All donations of $50 or more will be memorialized on Founding Members' plaques to be displayed inside the Observatory. The next 'Members Only' night will be held Friday April 16th 8:00PM at the observatory. If you are not a member, you may obtain membership there for $20/individual or $35/family.

MC Observatory Astronomy Day Events

Public Star Party April 23 Indoor Star Show 24th 2004

Astronomy Day will be celebrated across the country on Saturday April 24th with a theme of "Bringing Astronomy to the People". Morgan County Observatory Foundation will host two events this weekend, in a celebration of beauty of night skies. MCOF will hold a public Star Party Friday evening April 23rd at 8:00PM on the observatory grounds at Greenwood School. Four of the five planets visible to the naked eye will be viewed, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus; also the Orion nebula, Andromeda galaxy, and much more.

Everyone is invited to come out and view the wonders of the night sky through the many wonderful telescopes available with the experts from the Foundation to guide you. If you have a telescope, you may bring it and get help on using it to view the heavens. Refreshments will be served.

The second event of the weekend will be a presentation by Dr. Jason Best, professor of Astrophysics at Shepard College entitled "The Universe, Past and Present". This is a part of MCOF's quarterly Indoor Star Show lecture series held at the Ice House in downtown Berkeley Springs. There will be free coupons for the new 'Night Sky' magazine from Sky & Telescope, free astronomy guides for beginners, refreshments, contests and door prizes.This will be the perfect event for folks of all ages to come learn about the stars. Information on spring night sky viewing, our local observatory and reducing light pollution will also be presented. If weather permits telescope viewing of the planets will be held out back after the show. Admission to both events is free to all and donations are encouraged.

Come out and see the construction progress on the Morgan County Observatory and get a peek through the powerful 16" Cassegrain telescope housed there. Informative exhibits, NASA/JPL movies, contests for kids and hands on astronomy activities will be present. MCOF recently became part of the Night Sky Network, a collaborative program between NASA's JPL and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific to provide hands on learning materials to astronomy clubs for star party attendees to use. MCOF would like to promote awareness of light pollution, intelligent lighting alternatives and encourage people to help keep our night skies dark. Morgan County is an identified dark sky site and MCOF would like everyone to help preserve this local natural resource.

Anyone wanting more information encouraged to check out the website of the International Dark Sky Association at http://www.darksky.org.

NASA Scientist to Speak at Observatory November 8 2003

Morgan County Observatory Foundation as part of their continuing quarterly "Indoor Star Show" lecture series presents Dr. John Mather, NASA's project director on the next generation space telescope, in Greenwood School Auditorium give a talk on "James C. Webb Space Telescope and First Galaxies" Saturday November 8th 9PM. His talk will cover the highlights of the newest space telescope, scheduled to replace the Hubble, as well as details on the early universe right after the "Big Bang" occurred.

Dr. Mather began working at NASA"s Goddard Space Flight Center as head of the Cosmic Background Explorer "COBE" team and has been a Goddard Fellow since 1994. He currently works out of the Lab for Astronomy & Solar Physics, Infrared Astrophysics Branch. His research interests include cosmology, far infrared astronomy and instrumentation, and Fourier transform spectroscopy. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including: the John C. Lindsay Memorial Award, National Air and Space Museum Trophy, AIAA Space Science Award, Aviation Week and Space Technology Laurels for Space/Missiles, Dannie Heinemann Prize for Astrophysics, Rumford Prize, and National Academy of Sciences Member. He has been elected to the American Astronomical Society Council. His books include "The Very First Light" published in 1996.

Indoor Star Show on Saturday July 19, 2003 7PM at Ice House

MCOF Presents "Discovering the Rings of Uranus"

Astronomer Dr. Ben Zellner formerly a professor at Georgia Southern University who has worked with NASA on several projects will give a presentation on how the rings of Uranus were discovered. He was part of a team that studied Uranus using the Hubble Space Telescope. This show is part of the quarterly "Indoor Star Show" series given by the Morgan County Observatory Foundation. Admission is free to all so bring your friends and family. Donations will be accepted to support the observatory project here in Morgan County.

'Highlights of the Summer Sky' will be presented by amateur astronomers from the foundation. It will cover interesting aspects of the night sky for all to observe over the next few months. An update on the construction effort to complete Morgan County's observatory facility will also be given. Hands on astronomy activities, contests and giveaways will also be there to excite the younger folks in the crowd. Refreshments, including special 'Mars cookies' will be served to celebrate the closest approach of Mars to Earth in 60,000 years occurring next month.

The Foundation would like to thank the following generous recent donators: Dave & Mary Hansen, Bill Lands, Brice Williams, Jack Soronen, The United Way of Morgan & Berkeley Counties, Berkeley Springs Moose Lodge. All donations over $50 will be recognized on 'Founding Members' plaques inside the observatory.

Indoor Star Show on Saturday April 26 ,2003 7PM at Ice House

Astronomer/Physicist John Menke Presents "Upcoming Total Lunar Eclipse"

Visiting Physicist, Astronomy and robotic observatory expert John Menke from Menke Scientific will give a presentation on next month's total Lunar eclipse. This show is part of the quarterly "Indoor Star Show" series given by the Morgan County Observatory Foundation. Admission is free to all so bring your friends and family. Donations will be accepted to support the observatory project here in Morgan County.

'Highlights of the Spring Sky' will be presented by amateur astronomers from the foundation. It will cover interesting aspects of the night sky for all to observe over the next few months. An update on the construction effort to complete Morgan County's observatory facility will also be given. Hands on astronomy activities, contests and giveaways will also be there to excite the younger folks in the crowd.

The Foundation would like to thank the following generous recent donators: Duke & Doris Shepard, David & Phyllis Webster, Pat & Beth Nolan, The United Way of Morgan & Berkeley Counties, The Town of Bath, and Berkeley Springs Moose Lodge. All donations over $50 will be recognized on 'Founding Members' plaques inside the observatory.

NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Presents "The Watery Moon - Europa"

This Saturday night January 25th 7:00PM at the Ice House in downtown Berkeley Springs, Mark Klosinsky from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory"s Solar System Ambassador program will give a presentation on Jupiter's most interesting moon Europa. This show is part of the quarterly "Indoor Star Show" series given by the Morgan County Observatory Foundation. Admission is free to all so bring your friends and family. Donations will be accepted to support the observatory project here in Morgan County.

'Highlights of the Winter Sky' will be presented by amateur astronomers from the foundation. It will cover interesting aspects of the night sky for all to observe over the next few months. An update on the construction effort to complete Morgan County"s observatory facility will also be given. Hands on astronomy activities, contests and giveaways will also be there to excite the younger folks in the crowd.

The Foundation would like to thank the following generous donators: Geoffrey Huggins, Bobbie Rohn-Morgan Awards, Harriet Kronman, Marilyn Snyder, Julia Webb, Fred & Pat Glaeser, Stan & Judy Jones, and Evan Reichard. All donations over $50 will be recognized on 'Founding Members' plaques inside the observatory.

Indoor Star Show on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2002, 7PM at Ice House

NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador
speaks on Stonehenge

Next Saturday night October 26th 7:00PM at the Ice House in downtown Berkeley Springs, Mark Klosinsky from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory"s Solar System Ambassador program will give a presentation on Stonehenge and its astronomical aspects. This show is part of the quarterly "Indoor Star Show" series given by the Morgan County Observatory Foundation. Admission is free to all so bring your friends and family. Donations will be accepted to support the observatory project here in Morgan County.

'Highlights of the Winter Sky' will be presented by amateur astronomer and foundation member Tom Waugh. He will cover interesting aspects of the night sky for all to observe over the next few months. An update on the construction effort to complete Morgan County"s observatory facility will also be given. Hands on astronomy activities, contests and giveaways will also be there to excite the younger folks in the crowd.

MCOF"s booth was very popular at Apple Butter Festival, with many folks coming by to pick up schedule of events and other information about the Foundation. Jeff West from Winchester, a member of the Shenandoah Astronomical Society was the lucky winner of the Orion 90mm EQ refracting telescope raffled off on Sunday. The Foundation would like to thank all the volunteer face painters who brightened up festival-goers last weekend, including Yvette Boles, Kaylee McClure, Brianna Grigsby, Amanda Gray, Jeanaleah Harman, Loretta Brown and Wendy Golden.

The last star party on October 5th was very exciting, with a combination of wonderful dark skies, really nice telescopes, and a huge crowd. Folks were treated to beautiful views of celestial objects through a gigantic 24" Dobsonian telescope and a GPS guided 12" Meade reflector courtesy of visiting members of the Shenandoah Astronomical Society participating in MCOF"s Shared Weekend program in which members of specific astronomy clubs from around the region are invited to come share information and expertise with astronomers and others here in Morgan County and to use the observatory.

NASA Space Sciences Director to speak July 6th, 2002

The Morgan County Observatory Foundation will be presenting their Indoor Summer Star Show on Saturday evening July 6th at 7:00 PM at the Ice House in downtown Berkeley Springs. The entire family is welcome. Admission is free to all. Donations will be accepted and foundation memberships will be sold. All donations of $50 or more will be recognized on Founding Members" plaques to be displayed in the observatory. Magnifying glasses will be given to all children who attend the show and there will also be a door prize drawing. There will be an opportunity to sign up and volunteer to help in the efforts to create a public observatory here in our county. Come out to learn more about astronomy and the night sky while supporting your local observatory.

Dr. Jonathan F. Ormes, Director of Space Sciences at NASA will be the main speaker. He will show a video and present information on NASA"s upcoming mission to view the sky in the gamma ray region of spectrum. The universe viewed at this wavelength is dominated by black holes and time varying sources. Dave Fye will cover the highlights of the summer sky as we project the night sky on screen. Kevin Boles will give an overview and update on the Morgan County Observatory project. This evening of astronomy will be educational as well as entertaining.

The Observatory Foundation is proud to announce their acceptance as an affiliate of the United Way of Berkeley & Morgan County. This new funding will help to pay for staff to operate the Morgan County Observatory beginning this fall. MCOF will also be a part of the Combined Federal Campaign this year and looks forward to local federal employees donating through payroll deduction offered in the CFC pledge form. The Foundation would like to thank the following recent donors for their generous contributions: The Bath House, Tari"s Café & Restaurant, and Clark"s Ace Hardware.

Morgan County Observatory was honored by the recent visit of Conrad Jung, Staff Astronomer and Observatory Coordinator for Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, California, one of the nation"s top public observatories. He was accompanied by Elizabeth Wasiluk, Planetarium Director and Astronomy Teacher at Hedgesville High. They were both very positive in their comments about the observatory. Their input on observatory management and astronomy education will be invaluable in the development of programs for Morgan County Observatory. MCOF is also happy to welcome our new volunteer webmaster, Brendan Grigsby. His contributions of time and expertise will help keep our website updated and informative. Look for new links to Chabot Space & Science Center"s website soon.

Spring Star Show at Ice House Saturday April 6, 2002

The Morgan County Observatory Foundation will be presenting a Spring Star Show on Saturday evening April 6th at 7:00 PM at the Ice House in downtown Berkeley Springs. The entire family is welcome. Admission is free to all. Donations will be accepted and foundation memberships will be sold. Magnifying glasses will be given to all children who attend the show. Come out to learn more about astronomy and the night sky while supporting your local observatory.

Dr. Jack Littleton, Professor of Astronomy from the Physics Department at West Virginia University will be the main speaker. He will give a talk entitled " Exploring the sky with VERY low cost CCD devices". Tom Waugh and Dave Fye will cover the highlights of the spring sky as we project the night sky on screen. Kevin Boles will give an overview and update on the Morgan County Observatory project. This evening of astronomy shows promises to be educational as well as entertaining.

The Foundation would like to thank the following recent donors for their generous contributions: Potomac Headwaters RC & D, Jason Rainville, William & Barbara Gilbertson, Charles Bush, John Bausch, Jr., John Petersen, Don & Barb Nickles and David Welch.

Construction of the Morgan County Observatory at the site on Greenwood Elementary School grounds is ongoing and donations are needed to complete the observatory project. Drywall and labor to install it will be needed in the near future. Preliminary testing of the telescope has shown the instrument to be in excellent working order.

Winter Star Show at Ice House on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2002

The Morgan County Observatory Foundation will be presenting a Winter Star Show on Saturday evening January 26th at 7:00 PM at the Ice House in downtown Berkeley Springs. The entire family is welcome. Admission is free to all. Donations will be accepted and foundation memberships will be sold. Magnifying glasses will be given to all children who attend the show. Come out to learn more about astronomy and the night sky while supporting your local observatory.

The PBS movie "The Astronomers" will open the show when you arrive. The main speaker will then give a talk on current topics in Astronomy. Tom Waugh and Dave Fye will cover the highlights of the winter sky as we project the night sky on screen. Kevin Boles will give an overview and update on the Morgan County Observatory project. This evening of astronomy shows promises to be educational as well as entertaining.

The Foundation would like to thank the following recent donors for their generous contributions: Alison Carter & Sandy Bienen, Edgar Douglas and Charles & Margaret Biggs. Giselle Aoussat and Eugene Wagner have donated their professional painting services and have been staining the cedar siding which will soon be put up on the exterior of the observatory warming room. Andy Clark of Clark's Do It Hardware Center supplied the stain at cost. Blue Flame donated propane to help heat the observatory during the staining and drying process, and the Ice House donated heaters for this phase of the project.

Construction of the Morgan County Observatory at the site on Greenwood Elementary School grounds is ongoing and donations are needed to complete the observatory project. Drywall and labor to install it will be needed in the near future. Foundation President Kevin Boles took the main mirror to be resilvered at Majestic Optical Coatings in New Jersey earlier this week. This will enhance the light gathering capability of the instrument and produce a sharper image. The mirrors will be placed in the telescope and the electronics reconnected next week. Preliminary testing of the telescope and training of operators will then take place.

The Spring Star Show on April 6th will feature Dr. John Littleton, head of West Virginia University's Astronomy Department.

Indoor Star Show at Ice House on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2001

The Morgan County Observatory will be putting on an Indoor Star Show on Saturday evening November 10th at 7:00 PM at the Ice House in downtown Berkeley Springs. The entire family is welcome. Admission is free to all. Donations will be accepted and foundation memberships will be sold. Come out to learn more about astronomy and the night sky while supporting your local observatory.

Star Show at Ice House Saturday Night, Aug. 11, 2001

Morgan County Observatory Foundation will be presenting a show open to the public this Saturday August 11th at 8:00 PM at the Ice House. Admission will be free for all MAC and Observatory Foundation members, with a $2 charge for non-members. Some of the telescopes used at the monthly star parties will be on display, as well as information on the Observatory project. Dave Fye will give a presentation on what's visible in the summer sky here in Morgan County. Special attention will be given to the Perseid Meteor Shower, which has peak viewing conditions August 11th and 12th around midnight. A short presentation on the progress of the Observatory will also be shown.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Morgan County Observatory was held at Greenwood school on Thursday August 2nd. Special thanks to John & Karen Shoemaker & Family, Dave & Barbara Fye & Family, Melanie Harman, Inspirations Restaurant & Bakery, and John Rowland for supplying refreshments and helping make the event a success.

The next regular Star Party will be held Friday night August 17th at 8:30 PM in front of Warm Springs Middle School.

The Foundation would like to thank the following new or returning members and corporate donators for their generous support: Shirley Hillgren, Warren Lintz, Sharon Glaser, Tom Waugh, Barbara Lintz, Barb Herrman, Margaret Boles, Mary Ellen Largent, Bert Muti, Robert & Helen Soper, Charles & Mary Brueggemar, Greenwood United Methodist Church, and Greenwood Methodist Women.

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This Page Last Updated - February 17, 2007