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The BLM Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Save Red Rock, Friends of Red Rock, and the Las Vegas Astronomical Society invite you to join us for "Mars &Meteorites" -- a FREE Astronomy in the Park stargazing event at Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center, Friday Sept. 12th, from 6:30 PM to 10 PM. Entrance gate closes at 8 PM.
We'll begin the evening in the amphitheater with a welcome by BLM Red Rock staff at 6:30 PM, followed by a presentation with Planetary Science PhD candidate Gabriela Motta with the UNLV Dept. of Geoscience. Gabriela is a member of NASA's Mars 2020 science team.
She will bring meteorite samples you can touch (including one from Mars), she'll discuss how meteorites are classified, how martian meteorites are used to understand the geology and evolution of Mars, and talk about Mars rover missions, such as the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission, that are currently collecting data on the martian surface.
Following Gabriela's presentation, BLM Ranger Chad Hoing will give a green laser pointer tour of the constellations in the amphitheater.
Telescope viewing with Las Vegas Astronomical Society volunteers in front of the visitor center will run from roughly 7:45 PM to 10 PM. This dark moonless night will present bright & double stars such as Arcturus, Vega, and Albireo; bright nebulae like the Dumbbell Nebula (M27), the Lagoon Nebula (M8), and the Swan Nebula (M17); spiral galaxies such as the Pinwheel Galaxy (M101), Bode's Galaxy pair (M81 & M82), and the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51); as well as bright globular star clusters like M13 in Hercules, M3, and M5.
Telescope volunteers, must contact LVAS organizer Keith Caceres for instructions (DM on FB Messenger or email [email protected])
This event is completely FREE! Gate entrance fees don't apply. Our Astronomy in the Park events are suitable for all ages. Suggested public arrival from 6 PM. If you have a red flashlight or headlamp, please bring it, or cover white lights with two layers of brown paper bag.
Exact Location: https://goo.gl/maps/EvnKg2joB395jCfe7
Schedule:
5:30 PM - LVAS volunteers can begin telescope set-up
6:00 PM - Suggested arrival for attendees begins (latest 8 PM)
6:30 PM - Welcome by BLM rangers in amphitheater
6:40 PM - UNLV Planetary Science PhD Candidate Gabriela Motta will give a presentation on meteorites, how Martian meteorites are used to study Mars geology, and NASA Mars rover missions. Followed by Q&A and passing around meteorite samples you can touch.
6:52 PM - Sunset
7:30 PM - Green laser constellation tour of the night sky given by BLM Ranger Chad Hoing in amphitheater
7:45 PM - Telescope observing in front of visitor center with Las Vegas Astronomical Society volunteers
8:00 PM - Entrance gate closes to inbound traffic.
10:00 PM - Event ends
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Red Rock Canyon, Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area, Red Rock Visitor Cen, Las Vegas, NV 89124, United States
