Discovery Center's astronomy program features the late summer sky

This month's Discovery Center at Ridgefield astronomy program at New Pond Farm Observatory in West Redding will feature the red supergiant star Antares "Rival of Mars" along with the rising constellations Aquarius, Pegasus & Perseus. All ages are welcome.

Date & Time: Saturday, September 6, at 8 p.m.

Location: New Pond Farm Observatory, West Redding

Price: $4.00 with a $16 family maximum (members); or $6.00  with a $24 family maximum (non-members)

Detailed Description:

As the Sun slowly moves toward the equinox on September 22, constellations that were most prominent during the early summer, like Virgo, start to be lost in the Sun's glare. On the other hand, constellations that were not visible until later at night, like Aquarius, Pegasus, and Perseus, are coming into view earlier. Join us as we view the late summer skies with the naked eye, binoculars, and telescopes. We'll look at a waxing Moon, Saturn, and Mars. And decide for yourself--which is redder, Mars, or its "rival" Antares?

What to bring: Bring a flashlight as the walk to the observatory is dark. If you have them, lawn chairs and binoculars are welcome too. Bug spray is optional.

This program is co-sponsored by New Pond Farm, Redding.

Photo: Antares is a two star system consisting of the red supergiant Antares A and the much smaller but hotter Antares B. It is located 550 light years from Earth and the brightest star in the constellation of Scorpio. At only around 12 million years old Antares is already nearing the end of its lifespan and is expected to explode as a supernova in the next million years. If you were to travel to it, you would need super sunglasses as it is 10,000 times brighter then our sun.

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Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

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