Weather permitting the Forsyth Astronomical Society will be hosting 2 separate observation opportunities for the public to enjoy this Saturday, July 25. Stay tuned here and/or to our Facebook page for a final weather call later in the week.
One event will be held in the main parking area of the SciWorks complex in Winston Salem. There will be solar observing a few hours before sunset,which is at 8:32 pm and astronomical twilight begins at 9:41 pm. The highlights of the evening will be Venus and Jupiter in the early dusk. As the evening progresses the moon, Saturn, star clusters and double stars will be among the night sky wonders to see.
Our other venue will be Stone Mountain State Park. THIS IS A LOCK-IN EVENT. The parks gate will be closed and locked at 10pm. If you decide to attend as a non camper you will be required to stay the entire length of the observation and leave with the FAS members hosting the event. If you want to camp, reservations are highly advised and can be obtained through the NC Parks reservation system. There is a fee for campsites. Access to the field area where we will be set up can be gained via campsite #36. The celestial bounty will be similar as our other event. Insect repellant and possibly a lite jacket are highly recommended. In the mountains the temperature can be significantly cooler, even for this time of year.
A reminder to all club members setting up for either observation. Given the conditions typical for this time of year, it would be advisable to be prepared and equipped to manage heavy dew.
Update 7/25: SciWorks observation is a GO!!!!
Hi FAS people:
The skies for tomorrow night’s public observation at Sci-Works look reasonable. We may be dodging a few clouds, but that should be OK with our urban observing plan. If there is a sudden turn in the forecast, I’ll send out an update tomorrow, but otherwise, we’ll see you there!
Steve C.
Sunset: 8:30 PM
Astronomical twilight: 10:15
Update 7/24: Stone Mountain Observation is a GO!!!!
The weather looks Favorable for the observation at the Stone Mountain
State Park Campground.
There is still a chance of a passing late afternoon shower or thunderstorm.
If you are there in the afternoon be prepared to cover up, if needed.
The forecast is for passing rain, partly cloudy, then becoming clear.
Be prepared for dew, it can be heavy at Stone Mountain.
I will be there in the late afternoon.
David Morgan
Update from the club president 7/23:
It is a welcome change of pace to have a fairly unambiguous forecast for
this weekend’s 2 scheduled observations. The forecast for the SciWorks event
is currently mostly clear (Steve Childers will make the final weather call).
The Stone Mountain State Park forecast is for partly cloudy (I will make the final
weather call on Friday). it is unusual to have such a forecast for this time of year,
so make plans to attend and support the club’s effort. Be prepared for dew,
especially at Stone Mountain.
David Morgan
FAS President