Join Texas Master Naturalist Clyde Camp for a night walk and Astronomy
on the Meadow at the Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve. The best time for these is an evening closest to the new moon, but one can be held almost any night that is convenient for you.
That's right, these are night walks - can't see the stars during
the day!
We'll meet at the Suncreek Park circular parking lot (see
map). The entrance is off Alma, just west from the normal Connemara entrance. We'll leave from there at
the agreed on time (usually 9pm sharp). Please ... don't be late or you'll miss us. We'll then walk to the Meadow the back way. The walk will
be about two hours and we'll back at the cars at 11:00pm.
We will be walking between 1 and 1.5 miles which includes a small hill.
This
is an inappropriate activity for younger children that may have to be carried
if they get tired of walking or scared of the dark.
PLEASE NOTE: If it's clouded over, we'll still have a nightwalk - just not an astronomy walk. In the case of truely inclement weather (e.g. pouring rain) , the
walk will be cancelled.
What to bring:
Appropriate clothing is mandatory
Close-toed shoes or boots - NO sandles or flashy-shoes that light up when you walk
Long pants
Coat or jacket as the weather dictates - remember it may
be cooler at night
Bug-spray
and/or sulphur for chiggers as needed.
A flashlight will not be needed and is actually discouraged.
(optional) A pair of binoculars or spotting scope.
If you have one, you will be seeing a lot more than if you don't,
but it's not really necessary and you'll have to carry it.
What you can expect to see/learn:
Identification of the celestial 'road signs' - Pole Star, Big
Dipper, Little Dipper, other Bright stars as the month permits
The constellation of the month (your Zodiac sign) if it can
be seen (some are too dim)
Other constellations as well as asterisms
as the month and weather permits
Some star lore & astronomy facts
And ... The Meadow at night is quite different from The Meadow during the day
