United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey, Inc.
  Astronomy Day 2002 
 Saturday, April 20, 2002

 At the Warren County Branch Library from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and
at the UACNJ Observatory, Jenny Jump State Forest, Hope, New Jersey from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m.

Astronomy Presentations
(At the Warren County Branch Library, Route 46, Hackettstown)
  • 1:30 - Adaptive Optic Observations of Globular Clusters
     Globular clusters are large groupings of stars that exist in our galaxy. Dr. Pryor is part of a research group using the Hubble Space Telescope to observe the positions and motions in space of these massive star clusters. The results will yield the first reliable measurements of their distribution giving us a clearer picture of our Universe as well as our beginnings.
     Dr. Carlton Pryor, Rutgers University - Dept. of Physics and Astronomy

  • 2:30 - The Leftovers of the Solar System
     From a huge cloud of dust and gasses our Solar System coalesced into, what we now know as, the Sun, the Planets, and a lot of other stuff. Mr. Witzgall will discuss these "leftovers", now viewed as comets, asteroids and meteors. Why study them? Besides wanting to learn about the Geology and makeup of our Solar System, we can calculate when objects in space may collide. The dinosaurs couldn't and they perished about 65 million years ago when a large meteor struck the Earth in Mexico. The material is still visible in NJ as a 6-inch geologic strata layer.
     Alan Witzgall, New Jersey Astronomical Assoc., Voorhees State Park

  • 3:30 - A Comparison of the Gregorian, Jewish and Islamic Calendars
     We often take for granted our calendar (the Gregorian) with its "30 days hath September, ..." etc. But there are actually many calendars still in use throughout the world. Mr. Molnar will be comparing two of the more commonly used, how they came about, and contrasting them to our own.
     Joe Molnar, Morris Museum Astronomical Society

(At the UACNJ Observatory at Jenny Jump State Forest)
  • 8:00 - The Colonization of Space
     Mankind is slowing moving out into our Solar System and eventually beyond. However, earth-like environments are scarce. How do we plan to survive the harsh temperatures, lack of breathable air, and the need for a replenishable food supply?
     Dr. Karl Hricko, Sperry Observatory, Union County College

Solar Observing - Observing the Sun (filtered) in the afternoon.

Astronomy CCD Display - Images of the deep sky - Galaxies, Emission
                     and Absorption Nebulae, Open and Globular Star Clusters, etc.

UACNJ Member Club Displays - Astrophotography, Antique Astronomy
                     items, CCD Imaging, and other Projects, and the .7-meter mirror.

Evening Star Party - View Jupiter and Saturn and deep-sky objects
                     through the observatory's 16-inch Newtonian, as well as a variety
                     of UACNJ observer telescopes (weather permitting).

Astronomy on Sale - Books, Maps, observing materials & information,
                     and other astronomy items will be available at the observatory.

This is an event by amateur astronomers for the public interested in astronomy. Admission is free. Fundraising events are: sales desk, and refreshment stand. All money raised from this event goes to the UACNJ Building and Maintenance Fund to help support the UACNJ Observatory and Education Center. The UACNJ is a non-profit tax deductible educational organization.


Download an MS Word document of the program Here

The Warren County Branch Library is located at 63 Route 46 just west of Hackettstown,
or 4.5 miles east of the Rt.46-Rt.611(Great Meadows-Hope Road) 'T' intersection.
Observatory Directions