Make the stars your old friends as we watch the great celestial show in the skies over Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center. Get to know the constellations like The Big Bear, Orion the Hunter, Leo the Lion, and some of the great stories behind them. We’ll also use large reflecting telescopes, including two giant reflector telescopes that are among the biggest mobile telescopes in the upper Midwest for close up views of the moon, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and other wonders in our early spring skies. Learn about basic celestial photography. Weather permitting we’ll also use a new astronomical camera-telescope system for extra special views of our more distant universe. You’ll also get a great big handout package with user-friendly star maps and constellation charts, apps, websites, a telescope-buying guide, and more! Mike Lynch has been a meteorologist and broadcaster at WCCO Radio for near nearly 40 years and has been hosting star watching and astronomy programs for well over 47 years. He also writes a weekly stargazing column for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and is the author of the book; “Stars, a Month by Month Tour of the Constellatios" that’ll be available for purchase. Glow in the dark star and constellation shirts will also be available for purchase. Even if it’s the cloudy you’ll learn a lot, have a great time and get a Mike Lynch “Cloud Check” for a future Minnesota Starwatch Class. Your universe is waiting! Make the Stars Your old friends! Star Watch will be held at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center Westby Observatory. Please park below the main building and walk up the hill for the program; those with limited mobility are welcome to park in one of the few spots behind the main building on the hill.Registration deadline: April 5.
