Stellar Vista Observatory brings the universe down to Earth with events in October
October has been a busy month for Stellar Vista Observatory (SVO), with events bringing astronomy, science and even poetry to students, residents and visitors throughout Kanab. From telescope viewing to classroom activities, SVO volunteers have been sharing the wonders of the universe with curious minds of all ages!
Photos courtesy of SVO.
Events kicked off on October 2, with stargazing at Jacob Hamblin Park, where SVO’s Night Sky Interpreters welcomed more than 75 runners including locals participating in the Trailfest ultradistance event. This marked SVO’s fifth year partnering with Vacation Races for its annual Grand Circle race, which draws trail runners from across the country to experience southern Utah’s spectacular landscapes and star filled skies.
On October 14, approximately 80 Kanab Elementary sixth-graders, family members and friends gathered at Dark Sky RV Campground for a stargazing night organized by teacher Tyree Baird. Building on classroom lessons about the Sun-Earth-Moon system, students observed the waxing crescent Moon through telescopes, as well as the planet Saturn, the Andromeda Galaxy and the Hercules Globular Cluster. A big thanks to Dark Sky RV for hosting!
Astronomy took a creative turn on October 21, when SVO volunteer Eric Sims visited Jeff Corry’s sixth-grade language arts classes at Kanab Elementary. Students explored the art of writing haiku before composing their own imaginative poems. Their enthusiasm and creativity made the visit especially rewarding.
On the evening of October 21, professional astronomer Dr. Colin Littlefield, a longstanding member of SVO’s Advisory committee, captivated an audience of 25 at Kanab City Library for one of SVO’s free Curious Cosmos science talks. His presentation explored the Crab Nebula in the constellation of Taurus, a supernova remnant observed in the year 1054 and still visible with telescopes today. The nebula is illuminated by the collapsed core of a supermassive star known as a neutron star or pulsar. Spectacular stellar explosions like this one enrich the universe with the elements necessary for planets and life to emerge.
On October 26, SVO volunteers returned to the classroom-to-cosmos connection for the annual second-grade Moon Night, organized by teacher Jeana Jones. Students and their families gathered at Kanab Elementary School to observe the Moon and Saturn through telescopes, bringing their classroom learning to life.
Want to experience the wonders of the night sky yourself? Join SVO for its next free public star party on Friday, November 6, at 7 p.m., at Jackson Flat Reservoir. The evening coincides with the peak of the Taurids meteor shower. Visitors can also enjoy spectacular views of Saturn’s rings through SVO’s telescopes. Come discover the universe!
Kanab’s Stellar Vista Observatory provides opportunities for people to observe, appreciate and comprehend what we can see in the starry skies of southern Utah.
Visit stellarvistaobservatory.org/ for more information.
