Stargazers snacked on Moon Pies, Starbursts, Milky Ways and Cosmic Kool-Aid as they watched a movie about the Hubble space telescope and gazed at the stars Saturday night.
The Auburn Forest Ecology Preserve staff and the Auburn Astronomical Society held its biannual Astronomy Night Saturday at the Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest.
"I think it is set up really well," said Colin MacDougall, junior in mass communications at Southern Union State Community College. "It's great that there are a ton of kids here."
MacDougall attended with his astronomy class.
MacDougall said the movie about the Hubble was helpful for his course.
Once the clouds passed at approximately 9 p.m., the Auburn Astronomical Society helped the attendees to use four telescopes.
Each telescope was focused on a different constellation or planet.
Jennifer Lolley, administrator of the Forest Ecology Preserve, said she organizes these nights to engage children in astronomy.
"When you teach children about the stars, you expand their mind to everything," Lolley said.
The summer sky is very different from the winter sky, Lolley said.
Observers were shown the planets Saturn, Mars and Jupiter.
Sirius and the big and little dippers were among the constellations in view.
Lolley used a green laser that could reach all the way to a star, to point out constellations to the crowd.
Lolley said she is still amazed at the things that can be seen from Earth and enjoys introducing children to them.
"When you look through that telescope and see Saturn's rings, it makes it real," Lolley said.
Ron Jenkins, president of the Auburn Astronomical Society, said he has been going to the same spot for years to look at the stars.
Jenkins said he hoped for a clearer night, but has seen a change in visibility recently.
"We have watched light pollution come in on us, which is unfortunate," Jenkins said as he pointed at the fog.
Jenkins said the group has more than 30 members, and they share telescopes.
"We have a group scope that is 25 inches in diameter," Jenkins said. "The average telescope is about two-inches wide."
According to Jenkins, parents interested in purchasing a telescope for their children should think before buying the first one they see at the store.
"The ones you usually see in the toy section are not very durable," Jenkins said. "When they do not work as well as they hoped, the kids get bored and lose interest."
Jenkins said anyone interested in purchasing a telescope is welcome to ask the society for advice or visit its website for more information.
Russell Whigham, co-founder of the Auburn Astronomical Society, said his excitement about astronomy used to come from finding things for himself.
"Now, the thrill is sharing this with the kids," Whigham said.
Daisy Griffin of Auburn took her daughter, Laura, and her friend, Alexis, to the event.
The second-graders are part of Forest Friends, a group with the Auburn Forest Ecology Preserve that incorporates hands-on activities with nature and environmental awareness for kids.
"I want to let them explore different areas of science," Griffin said. "They have had such a great time."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
