(Falmouth, MA, October 15, 2009) – Weather permitting, the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers will be participating in the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Cornerstone Project, Galilean Nights, to be held Thursday, October 22 through Saturday, October 24.
As part of the event, the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers will be holding public viewing sessions from 6pm to 9pm, near the Katherine Lee Bates statue on the Falmouth Public Library lawn. A goal of the Galilean Nights event is to get as many people as possible to look at the wonders that Italian astronomer Galileo observed 400 years ago through his telescope.
The focus will be the objects that Galileo observed, including Jupiter and the Moon. Everyone is welcome to come and get free views of the moon, planets and stars through telescopes, and if they have them, to bring their own telescopes and binoculars.
"We are hoping for good weather," said Peter Cook, one of the founders of the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers, "As long as the sky is reasonably clear - with less than 50 percent cloud cover - and the winds are calm, we will be out there." Acknowledging that it could be a little cold, he said that temperature is not much of an issue, "We can bundle up if needed."
Declared by the United Nations, and sponsored by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Year of Astronomy marks the 400th anniversary of 1609, in which significant advances were made in astronomy. In that year, Galileo was the first to use a telescope for astronomy.
For additional information, contact Brent Putnam at 508-444-0222, or visit the web sites www.FalmouthAstronomers.org or www.galileannights.org.
About the Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers:
The Falmouth Sidewalk Astronomers are an informal group of amateur astronomers dedicated to sharing the night sky with the public. Instead of seeking out dark sky locations to practice the hobby, sidewalk astronomers bring their telescopes and knowledge to where the people are.
Contact:
Brent Putnam
catboatbrent@yahoo.com
508-444-0222
508-540-5662
FalmouthAstronomers@yahoogroups.com
www.FalmouthAstronomers.org
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