Free July astronomy program at Hobbs State Park this summer

Six times a year the Sugar Creek Astronomical Society presents a Beginning Astronomy class followed by Night Sky Viewing at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area Visitor Center. The next free public astronomy program is Saturday, July 2.

According to Jack McDaniel of Bella Vista, a member of Sugar Creek Astronomical Society, “It will be a great night for viewing planets! Through our telescopes we will see mighty Jupiter in the southwestern sky with its four largest moons; Io, Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede. The planet and its moons resemble a bright necklace with the moons lined up in a straight line; three on one side of Jupiter, and lonely Callisto on the opposite side. It’s an amazing sight. Saturn will be high in the southeastern sky. We will see the planet’s truly awe inspiring rings and a few of its brightest moons.

Just ahead of Saturn will be the red planet Mars. Saturn, Mars and the bright star Antares will form a triangle that is a treat for naked-eye observation.

There are also many deep sky objects, including the globular star cluster designated as M13 in the constellation Hercules. This ancient cluster, sometimes called The Great Cluster, is packed with several hundred thousand stars. It is located about 100 light years away from us. We will be able to see stars radiating out from the center of the cluster.”

The program begins at 8 p.m. and includes finding your way around the night sky. Observation using binoculars, telescopes and the naked eye will begin around 9 p.m. What to Bring: • Flashlight (covered with a red cloth or red balloon)

• Binoculars and/or telescope (if you have)

• Folding chair – one per person

• Star chart (if you have one)

Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area Visitor Center is on Arkansas Highway 12, just east of the intersection with War Eagle Road.