Earth Day Festival at Topsail Hill State Park (27 Apr 2019)

The NWFAA gladly supported Topsail Hill’s 2019 Earth Day celebration. We set up telescopes to safely view the celestial objects that were currently visible in the daytime sky. We also had handouts highlighting the harm light pollution can have on local wildlife and how to reduce light pollution so that future generations of budding astronomers can have a view of the night sky.

NWFAA member and NASA Solar System Ambassador Tom Haugh supported Topsail’s event this year. He had two telescopes set up. One with a white light filter to safely look at the Sun; one pointed at the 42% lit Moon. With the Sun currently in a minimum activity phase, the Moon provided the more interesting view. Ultimately, the Moon set behind the high treeline. Then the scope was re-pointed at Venus, currently in a 82% lit gibbous phase.

We counted 119 guest observers who took advantage of the opportunity to use the daytime telescopes. In addition to the previously mentioned handouts, we also passed out plenty of 2019 state park public star gaze schedules, April Evening Sky Maps, and NASA stickers.

We would like to thank the Topsail Hill state park rangers and volunteer staff for the invitation and help with our pop-up solar protection device.