Educational events slated at Hobbs State Park
Astronomy Night
The Winter Sky through Binoculars is the focus of the Hobbs State Park/ Sugar Creek Astronomical Society Star Party set for Jan. 28, 2017. Using binoculars to view the night sky is the first, best step into astronomy because the sky can be enjoyed without the expense of, or an understanding of, telescopes. The intimacy and ease of viewing the night sky with your naked eye can be maintained when using binoculars. Because of their wide field of view, the amount of the sky that can be seen is larger than with most telescopes, making it easier to find objects. Modern small binoculars often give as much detail as that seen by Galileo using his groundbreaking telescopes to discover the moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus.
According to Sugar Creek Astronomical Society’s president, Katherine Auld, “Objects we will likely view include: Jupiter, or more specifically the Galilean moons that almost nightly change their locations in their dance around Jupiter, and the Double Cluster, which is two open clusters of stars lying at a distance of about 7,500 light years from Earth. Other objects we will see include the moon, Pleiades (the ‘seven sisters’), another open cluster containing hot, blue and extremely bright stars that formed in the last 100 million years. Perhaps the most amazing object we will view is the Andromeda Galaxy with about a trillion stars. It makes an amazing night sky object through binoculars as it is about 8 times the apparent size of the earth’s full moon. Several telescopes will also be set up for public use.”
What to bring:
• Flashlight (covered with a red cloth or red balloon)
• Binoculars
• Folding chair — one per person`
• Star chart (if you have one) Where: Hobbs State Park visitor center located on Hwy 12 just east of the Hwy 12/War Eagle Road intersection.
When: Saturday, Jan. 28 Classroom instruction: 4:30 p.m. Night viewing: about 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free — public invited, great for scout groups and families
For information call 479789-5000.
To learn more about upcoming Friends of Hobbs speakers and other park programs, go to friends ofhobbs.com.
Fly Tying Workshop
Nationally known fly fishing expert, Sallyann Brown, will lead a fly tying workshop at the Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area visitor center from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29.
This straightforward workshop will teach the basic techniques for tying all types of flies. Subjects covered will include how to tie knots, apply weights and hackle (long narrow feathers), how to spin deer hair, tie on dubbing, tails, wings, eyes and legs. Learning appropriate proportions in building your own fly and what to do with all the fingers in your hands are two of the more useful things to be learned in this beginner’s class. Tie your own fly to take home or decorate your favorite fishing hat. All equipment will be provided.
When: Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017 Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Where: The workshop will be held at the Hobbs State Park visitor center, on Arkansas Highway 12 just east of the Hwy. 12/War Eagle Road intersection.
Minimum age is 12 yrs. Cost: $35 per person + tax. Class size is limited to 15. Reservations and pre-payment required. To register, call 479-789-5000.