JUST LOOK UP: 17th Annual Astronomy Day Returns to UW-Eau Claire On May 2
free-to-attend event offers planetarium shows, interactive displays and more
This year's Astronomy Day even will be outta this world, especially on the heels of NASA’s Artemis II crew launch to the moon at the end of March (expected to touch down for the first time in over 50 years, after this issue is sent to press, on April 10).
Astronomy Day is a joint effort by volunteers from the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society (CVAS) and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Department of Physics and Astronomy. It will take place on Saturday, May 2 from 10am-3pm at the L.E. Phillips Science Hall (101 Roosevelt Ave.) on the campus of UW-Eau Claire.
This event is free, and connects astronomy enthusiasts of all ages to explore space science.
“People of all ages enjoy Astronomy Day,” shared Lauren Likkel, event coordinator and member of the CVAS. “They enjoy touching the meteorites, learning how we study starlight, and studying the night sky.”
This year’s theme explores how astronomers use light or electromagnetic radiation to learn about cosmic objects, even invisible light.
Various tables with hands-on displays will show interesting things about visible light (spectroscopes), radio waves (radio telescope), infrared (IR) light camera) and ultraviolet (UV) light (UV fluorescence). Radioactivity is also highlighted with the click-click-click of Geiger counters as visitors see and hear when detected radioactivity.
One of the most popular parts of Astronomy Day is a 20- to 30-minute L.E. Phillips Planetarium presentation, which is offered at multiple times during the event (and is recommended for visitors age six and above). Attendees will see how the stars look on the planetarium sky, including how the sky moves due to the Earth’s rotation, and some prominent constellations, such as Orion, will be pointed out.
This year, there will also be two entertaining presentations of "Science Theater," which will feature liquid nitrogen. A schedule of times for Science Theater and the planetarium shows will be posted at the event so visitors don’t miss them.
In the hallway of Phillips Science Hall, near the planetarium, attendees will be able to interact with displays related to moons, planets, stars and galaxies. They will be able to see and touch authentic meteorites, or rocks from space, and view informational posters. Younger children will also find space-themed toys to play with there.
Astronomy Day has been held at UW-Eau Claire ... for 17 years. Due to the university's new science building slated to wrap construction and open within a couple of years, UW-Eau Claire expects that next year's Astronomy Day will be held in Phillips Science Hall for the last time.
If the weather allows, things may also be set up outside, including a cardboard cutout of a rocket, a radio telescope that can detect radio emissions from the sun, a solar spectroscope, a solar telescope that can show sunspots that day and stomp rockets.
The first Saturday in May is also the first day of public observing over at Hobbs Observatory at Beaver Creek Reserve, held on "every clear Saturday after dark." Those who are inspired by Astronomy Day may want to visit Hobbs Observatory for stargazing and telescope viewing, offered for free.
Astronomy Day has been held at UW-Eau Claire every May since 2008 (except for 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic), or for 17 years. Due to the university's new science building slated to wrap construction and open within the couple of years, UW-Eau Claire expects that next year's Astronomy Day will be held in Phillips Science Hall for the last time.
Spring 2028 will be the first Astronomy Day event held in the new science building, which will include a planetarium.
Free parking is available on campus on Saturdays (just pay attention to signage). Parking can be found around Phillips Science Hall, in the Hibbard Parking Lot on State Street, or in the Water Street parking lot (where folks can cross the footbridge, over the Chippewa River, to get to campus).
Astronomy Day will be held Saturday, May 2, from 10am-3pm at UW-Eau Claire's Phillips Science Hall (101 Roosevelt Ave., Eau Claire) • The event is free to attend with free parking available on and near campus • For more information, visit the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society's webpage (www.cvastro.org)
