Mars Hill Quick Report: September 26 – October 2
Welcome back to the Mars Hill Quick Report, a bite-sized weekly news update from Lowell Observatory! Each week, we’ll give you the short version of upcoming events at Lowell and beyond, plus a little dash of history.
News
☆ Monday, September 26
The Earth Strikes Back: DART Impact Event
Be a part of NASA’s first-ever planetary defense test mission! DART, or the Double Asteroid Redirection Test, is NASA’s first mission to demonstrate asteroid deflection by a kinetic impactor. On September 26th, NASA will be smashing a spacecraft into the smaller member of the binary asteroid system Didymos. NASA has partnered with Lowell Observatory to make this mission a success using the Lowell Discovery Telescope and Lowell’s team of astronomers to monitor for any changes, along with partners all around the world, to see if we can change the orbit of the asteroid!
Don’t miss this amazing event at Lowell Observatory, where we will be watching the impact happen LIVE and celebrating the mission. Included with General Admission.
- Live Viewing of Impact
- Science Talks
- Food Trucks
- Face-Painting
- Live Music
- Henna Art
- Axe-Throwing
☆ Monday, September 26
Jupiter at Opposition
When looking up to the night sky, you may have noticed a large bright shining object in the Eastern sky. The object isn’t a UFO, it’s Jupiter! On September 26, 2022, Jupiter will be entering opposition. For the next few weeks, the giant planet will be at its biggest and brightest for the year for Earth observers. In anticipation for opposition, here are some fun facts about Jupiter and opposition.
Learn more about Jupiter’s opposition from Lowell educator Claire Gibson by clicking the button below!
☆ Tuesday, September 27
New Star Stuff Episode
When Black Holes Collide
In this episode of Star Stuff, Cody and Hailey learn about colliding black holes with CASA postdoctoral research associate Dr. Scott Barrows and Lowell Observatory astronomer Dr. Jennifer Hanley.
You can listen to Star Stuff on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Stitcher!
☆ Saturday, October 1
International Astronomy Day & Free Admission
To celebrate International Astronomy Day, we’re offering free general admission for all Coconino County residents after 5pm on October 1, 2022! Join us for science talks, tours, stargazing, and more.
Sponsored by our friends at Findlay Toyota Flagstaff!
This Week in History
☆ October 1, 1962
US National Radio Astronomy Observatory installs a 300′ (91m) radio telescope in Green Bank, West Virginia
The Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT) in Green Bank, West Virginia, US is the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope, surpassing the Effelsberg 100-m Radio Telescope in Germany. The Green Bank site was part of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) until September 30, 2016. Since October 1, 2016, the telescope has been operated by the independent Green Bank Observatory. The telescope’s name honors the late Senator Robert C. Byrd, who represented West Virginia and pushed the funding of the telescope through Congress.
