October astronomy events set for Observatory Park

Geauga Park District has unveiled a slate of events taking place at Observatory Park and its historic Nassau Astronomical Station, 10350 Clay St. in Montville Township

This fall’s Nassau Night Sky Viewings will be held 7 to 11 p.m. on the following Saturdays: Oct. 14 and 21, Nov. 11, 18 and 25, and Dec. 9 and 30. If conditions aren’t favorable, visitors can enjoy a planetarium show instead at the Robert McCullough Science Center. Members of the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society participate on Oct. 21 and Nov. 18.

Nassau Astronomical Station is also the site of Geauga Park District’s “International Observe the Moon Night celebration” from 6 to 11 p.m. , Oct. 28. Visitors can drop in anytime to view the moon using park telescopes and learn more about Earth’s closest neighbor.

Back at the main campus at 10610 Clay St., there will be full moon programs from 7 to 8 p.m., Oct. 4 (the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival); 7 to 8:30 p.m., Nov. 4 (the Beaver Moon); and 6 to 7 p.m. , Dec. 3 (a Cold “Supermoon”).

Visitors also can experience hands-on learning during hour-long programs from 7 to 8 p.m., Oct. 13 and 27 (“Make a Sundial”), Nov. 10 (“Visits to the Moon”), and Dec. 8 and 29 (“Space Radio”), followed by night sky viewing if weather permits.

There is new astronomy programming series for kids ages 3 to 5, and “Astrotots: Rockets” for children and their parents will take place Oct. 4 and 7. Participants will make rockets to take home, and safely assist and watch a model rocket launch.

Get more details and register at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org or 440-286-9516.

Finally, the Robert McCullough Science Center and Oberle Observatory will both be opened by “AstroNat” Chris from 1 to 4 p.m. on the following Sundays — Oct. 15 and 29, Nov. 12 and 26, and Dec. 10 and 31. The will all featureThe Sky Tonight Planetarium Shows at 2 p.m.

Learn more about Observatory Park at http://bit.ly/ gpdop.