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| High powered telescope aimed at the the moon |
Skywatch at the Carnegie Science Center offers evening stargazing a few times a year. A
planetarium tour of the Pittsburgh sky is paired with a visit to the
observation deck to view the night sky though high-powered
telescopes. With the help of the experts, you can make a date to
explore the cosmoses and enjoy the beautiful Pittsburgh skyline. It’s an evening under the stars.
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| More stars are visible |
What
is better than a little stargazing. The belt of Orion is the only constellation
that I can spot on a winter night. Distinguishing between a star and a planet
is no easy task. I hoped guidance from
the planetarium and experts would add a little “light” on the subject (pun
intended).
Before
the start of the “Stars over Pittsburgh Show,” the comfy recliners
paired with, nothing short of “space music,” and floating purple bubbles, calms and hypnotizes. It is so relaxing that I
almost fell asleep. I guess that I was not the only one because the guy two down
started to snore.
Then the
dome’s sudden blackness opens with a bang of white pinpoint lights producing
that ahh factor of a starry night (not the painting) but the natural beauty. You are immersed
in the stargazing. The state-of-art technology brings the real nighttime sky images straight from NASA. We find the Dippers,
North Star, stars Vega and Arcturus, some constellations, and planets. It gives
you the confidence to attempt to decipher the real sky without the apps. If you
need more instructions, they stay in planetarium after the show for individual questions.
From the observation deck the city skyline twinkles as much as the sky. Several telescopes point to the moon and stars. Through these powered lenses the moon craters and rocky service look just like those in the magazine pictures. I thought that if I zoom in just a bit more, Neal Armstrong would wave back at me.
Looking up the moon was a crescent. The dark side of the moon and full circle is visible with help of the telescopes. It’s an amazing sight.
The
light pollution from the city keeps several stars hidden. A circle full of stars
is visible in the powered lenses. Skywatch makes possible a night under the stars
and a date with cosmos.
(The future Skywatch dates are: Saturdays, August 26, 2023 and September 23, 2023. To sign up go to skywatch)
Spiritual Reflection
The moon
and stars govern the night; His love endures forever. (Psalms 136:9)
Other
Sources
https://carnegiesciencecenter.org/planetarium/buhl-planetarium-skywatch/
https://carnegiesciencecenter.org/individuals-and-families/science-after-hours/
https://carnegiesciencecenter.org/events/requin-steel-beach-picnic/