by David Letcher, Outreach Chair

Hello Everyone,

The following are the current outreach opportunities for us. Let me know if you can participate in any or all events.

On March 17, Sunday at 3:00 p.m., a film called The City Dark is playing at the Pennington Public Library. The librarians are wondering if a representative from the AAAP would be willing to talk afterward. The film is a documentary about light pollution and the loss of the night sky. It would be wonderful to have it followed by a guest speaker who could talk about this issue in local terms, what is visible from Hopewell Valley, and remind the audience about the April 5 reopening of the Simpson Observatory in Washington Crossing.

This came to me from member Victor Davis: Every year, Orchard Hill Elementary School has several Family Astro Space Nights. They are looking for some local astronomers who might be willing to bring a telescope out on one or more nights. If it is nice evening, they would like to also view the evening sky at conclusion of our program. Refreshments will be served.

Dates: Tuesday, April 9, 2013
            Monday, April 15, 2013
            Monday, April 22, 2013

Time: There are two presentations each night with about 25 families each session. Presentation should be suitable for second grade (7-8 years old). The first session is from 4:30-6:15 p.m. The second session is from 6:45-8:20 p.m.

Where: Orchard Hill Elementary School
              244 Orchard Road, Skillman, NJ 08558
              Main lobby straight to the cafeteria.

Directions: From Rte. 206 South, turn right on Orchard Hill Road. From Rte. on 206 North, turn right on to River Road/Orchard Hill Road exit. Turn left on to Orchard Road.

And from the D & R Greenway group: We are planning another night out under the stars during the Perseid Meteor Shower on Monday, August 12, 2013. We plan to have the event at our St. Michaels Farm Preserve in Hopewell Township this year. It is a wonderful property that is much easier to find than the event site last year.