ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 13, 1996 TAG: 9603130011
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: NF-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETH DAY PASHLEY STAFF WRITER
Stars were in their eyes, along with the moon and the brightest planet.
On a hillside at Fallon Park in Roanoke, 20 people bundled up and stared into the clear, dark sky through a big telescope.
It was a perfect night for stargazing.
Mark Deaner, 12, a sixth-grader at Breckinridge Middle School, and his friend, B.J. Edwards, 15, a ninth-grader at Patrick Henry High School, reached for the moon and stars with Frank Baratta's telescope. Its magnification - 55 times stronger than their eyesight - helped them see the moon's craters and mountains.
Baratta held a diagram of the moon and pointed out the crater where the Apollo 11 lunar module Eagle landed in 1969. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first people to set foot on the moon. They planted an American flag. Deaner said he thought it was neat to see the crater.
Astronomy is the science of stars and planets. Baratta is an astronomer. He and other astronomers study how the stars and planets are formed, what they're made of, what they look like and where to find them in the sky.
To get the best view of the objects of the night sky, leave city lights behind in favor of dark, isolated hillsides. That's why places such as the Blue Ridge Parkway and Fallon Park are ideal.
"The view is much better on the parkway, because there's too much light pollution in the city," Baratta said.
Too much light makes it difficult to see the stars - the darker the sky the better.
"Does anyone know the name of the brightest object in the sky besides the moon?" Baratta asked.
"It's Venus," answered Deaner, who studied planets in school. Baratta focused the telescope on Venus and said. "All you're going to see is a hint of a disk [because Venus is really bright]."
Deaner's friend, Edwards, was more interested in Orion. "I like constellations," Edwards said.
Constellations are groups of stars, usually named after an object, animal or mythological being that they suggest in outline. By connecting the stars like dots, the Big Dipper looks like a ladle or cuplike spoon. The Greeks saw Orion as a hunter with three stars in a diagonal line representing his belt.
Baratta explained that Orion, a constellation in the winter sky, contains the bright stars Rigel and Betelgeuse. The bright, blue Rigel is Orion's left knee. Orion's right armpit is a big red star, Betelgeuse.
Adults stood up and looked through the telescope, but the children climbed on a chair to reach its eyepiece. Mallory Weatherman, 8, a third-grader at Roanoke Catholic Lower School learned there were lots of different stars in the sky.
"The moon looked just like a bunch of craters," she said.
Her brother, Joseph, 6, a first-grader, said his favorite thing was Venus. Their dad, Steve, brought them to see the stars; Mallory says she wants to come back and see them again.
Roanoke City Parks and Recreation Programmer Tom Clarke and Baratta plan several astronomy trips per quarter. Baratta, who has volunteered for more than three years, brings his telescope to teach skywatchers about the moon and stars.
"Astronomy is one of our most successful programs; it fills up every month," Clarke said. The "Astronomy Extravaganza" sessions are free.
It's easy to join a session. Call the Parks Department at 981-2236 to ask about the trips or to sign up. You'll receive a confirmation of registration in the mail. Next, you'll get a letter of trip details
. On the evening of the observing session participants make a "cloud call" to find out if the sky is clear enough to stargaze. Then, just drive or be driven to the location.
There's a lot in the sky to see and learn. And best of all, looking at stars is free.
Everyone forgot about being cold.
Staff Writer Betty Hayden contributed to this story.
Astronomy Day set at Tanglewood
Hopkins Planetarium staff and the Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society will sponsor "Astronomy Day" on April 20 at Tanglewood Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The annual event includes astronomy exhibits; telescopes; Starlab, an inflatable dome and portable planetarium; and a telescope viewing session if weather permits.
Baratta edits the Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society newsletter. RVAS meets at 7:30 p.m. the third Monday of each month at Center in the Square. The RVAS message line is 774-5651.
Call Hopkins Planetarium at The Science Museum of Western Virginia at 342-5726 for show times and dates. It's always weather permitting there. Ask about telescope workshops.
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: LAURA KLEINHEINZ. Diane Lantz (left), Malloryby CNBWeatherman, 8, Joseph Weatherman, 6, and Steve Weatherman gaze at
the stars at Fallon Park. color. Graphic: Orion "The Hunter."
color.