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UNIVERSE IN THE PARK' HELPS PARK VISITORS LEARN NIGHT SKY
May 29, 2012
MADISON - Wisconsin state park visitors will have multiple opportunities this summer to view and learn about the night sky by participating in the "Universe in the Park" outreach program conducted by the Department of Astronomy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
There are 44 programs that will be held at 24 different parks throughout the summer and early fall.
A typical session begins just after sunset, usually about 9 p.m., with a 20- to 30-minute talk and slide show about astronomy intended to present a broad overview of astronomy or recent astronomical news. After the talk, when the sky is dark, visitors have an opportunity to view whatever astronomical objects are available through telescopes.
Most of the question-and-answer period takes place around the telescopes.. During the height of the summer, the sessions can attract audiences of 70 to 80 people.
Visitors can show up for the slide show and question-and-answer period even if it is cloudy and the sky cannot be viewed through the telescope. The sessions are held if it is raining only if there is a shelter available.
"Universe in the Park," [www.astro.wisc.edu/uitp] (exit DNR) which began in 1996, is predicated on the idea that the best environment in which enjoy astronomy is outside under dark skies, according to Prof. Eric M. Wilcots, who coordinates the program.
Universe in the Park events themselves are free, but visitors to Wisconsin State Parks and Forests must have a daily or annual vehicle admission sticker.
Anyone interested in attending a session should always contact the park to make sure the program is on as scheduled, because the schedule occasionally changes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wisconsin DNR Customer Information - 888-936-7463 or Universe in the Park, Dept. of Astronomy, UW-Madison, 608-262-3071
2012 Universe in the Park Schedule
- June 2 - Mirror Lake State Park
- June 9 - Mirror Lake State Park
- June 15 - Merrick State Park rescheduled from June 16
- June 16 - Governor Dodge State Park
- June 16 - Perrot State Park rescheduled from June 15
- June 23 - Devil's Lake State Park
- June 23 - Kohler-Andrae State Park
- July 7 - Governor Dodge State Park
- July 7 - Wildcat Mountain State Park
- July 14 - Mill Bluff State Park
- July 14 - Roche-A-Cri State Park
- July 20 - Devil's Lake State Park
- July 20 - Perrot State Park
- July 21 - Hartman Creek State Park
- July 21 - Kettle Moraine State Forest--Southern Unit
- July 25 - Copper Falls State Park
- July 26 - Big Bay State Park
- July 27 - Amnicon Falls State Park
- July 28 - Pattison State Park
- August 4 - Kohler-Andrae State Park
- August 4 - Kettle Moraine State Forest--Southern Unit
- August 4 - Yellowstone Lake State Park
- August 10 - Peninsula State Park
- August 10 - Willow River State Park
- August 11 - Interstate State Park
- August 11 - Rock Island State Park
- August 12 - Newport State Park
- August 17 - Devil's Lake State Park
- August 18 - Buckhorn State Park
- August 18 - High Cliff State Park
- August 25 - Blue Mound State Park
- August 25 - Mirror Lake State Park
- September 1 - Governor Dodge State Park
- September 2 - Kettle Moraine State Forest--Southern Unit
- September 2 - Lake Kegonsa State Park
- September 8 - Blue Mound State Park
- September 8 - Devil's Lake State Park
- September 8 - Wildcat Mountain State Park
- September 15 - Buckhorn State Park
- September 15 - Governor Dodge State Park
- September 22 - Blue Mound State Park
- September 22 - Yellowstone Lake State Park
- September 29 - Kohler-Andrae State Park
- October 13 - Yellowstone Lake State Park
Last Revised: Tuesday, May 29, 2012