Miami Valley Astronomical Society

You never know what you may come across in the galleries at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force! Out-of-this-world activities – and perhaps even some “extra-terrestrials” – await visitors to the museum during Space Fest on May 16-17 when the museum and more than 20 other participating organizations offer a multitude of space-related activities for visitors of all ages. All activities are free, unless otherwise noted.

The event begins Friday, May 16 with a special showing of the film Gravity (in 3D) at 7 p.m. at the Air Force Museum Theatre. Former Astronaut and retired Air Force Colonel Gregory H. Johnson will introduce the show and answer questions immediately following. The theatre will charge a reduced price of $4 per person, and tickets may be purchased at www.afmuseum.com/attractions/reservations.

During another unique experience on Friday, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Force Support Fitness is hosting the “5K Fun Run: Glow in the Dark Edition” on the runway behind the museum. A 1-mile kids’ race begins at 8 p.m., and then at 8:30 p.m. 5K participants can run or walk through a scale version of the solar system. The pre-registration entry fee is $25 and includes a t-shirt. Race day registration is $30, but a t-shirt is not guaranteed. Registration forms for both races are available at https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=8136253.

Finally, a free star-gaze with telescopes will take place at 9:30 p.m. Friday near the museum’s Memorial Park. Miami Valley Astronomical Society members will set up telescopes and be available for questions and answers.

On Saturday, May 17, visitors will find a variety of free, interactive and fun space-themed activities for all ages, including special appearances by astronauts, a chance to see the museum’s new Space Shuttle Exhibit, space shuttle computer simulators, model rocket building and launching, a 35-foot tall inflatable space shuttle model, indoor planetarium, solar viewing, “Picture Yourself in Space” photo booth, a space pop culture collection, 3D printer, and even special costumed characters.

Visitors can listen to presentations by current Astronaut and Army Colonel Douglas H. Wheelock, who spent nearly six months on the International Space Station in 2010, and former Astronaut Dr. Donald A. Thomas, a veteran of four space flights during the 1990s with more than 1,040 hours in space. The two will sign autographs at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Space Shuttle Exhibit. Then, Wheelock will speak at 1 p.m. and Thomas at 3 p.m. in the museum’s Carney Auditorium.

In addition, Dr. Doug Lantry, museum curator and Space Shuttle Exhibit project manager, will talk about space suits at 2 p.m. in the STEM Learning Node, located adjacent to the Space Shuttle Exhibit.

Popular space-themed music will echo through the museum galleries as two area groups perform space-related musical numbers to entertain visitors. The Troy Tones Show Choir will perform at 10 a.m. near the Space Shuttle Exhibit. At noon, the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight’s Wright Brass ensemble will play in the museum’s second building.

The first space trivia contest will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the STEM Learning Node. This contest will take place prior to the Dayton Challenger Learning Center’s presentation of one of “Christa’s Lost Lessons,” which are based on the lessons NASA Teacher in Space Christa McAuliffe was developing at the time of the Challenger disaster. Additional trivia contests will take place at 12:30 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m., before the astronaut presentations in Carney Auditorium. All three trivia contests are open to visitors of all ages, and prizes will be awarded.

Younger visitors will have fun on the inflatable Space Shuttle Slide and Space Camp Bounce House, which will be set-up in front of the museum (weather permitting). Children will also enjoy storytime, offered by the Greene County Public Library from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and face painting from noon-2 p.m.

The museum is partnering with more than 20 other organizations to provide activities throughout the day, including the Air Force Research Laboratory, AIAA Dayton-Cincinnati Section, Air Force Institute of Technology, Air Force Museum Foundation, Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Observatory, Columbus School of Model Rocketry, Dayton Challenger Learning Center, Engineers Club of Dayton, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, Greene County Public Library, KinderCare, Mars Society – Ohio Chapter, Miami Valley Astronomical Society, NASA Glenn Research Center, National Aviation Hall of Fame, R2-D2 Club, SWFTEC, Team Ohio Rocketry Club and WPAFB Force Support Fitness.

In addition, the Air Force Museum Theatre will show Hidden Universe at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday as part of its normal schedule. Reduced rates of $6 will be offered for those showings of Hidden Universe. The interactive flight simulators and Morphis Movie Ride Simulator will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. A reduced rate of $3 will be offered on the Morphis ride, and visitors can request the spacewalk ride.

The Valkyrie Café, Refueling Café and an outdoor grill will have food available for purchase, and the museum store will be selling event t-shirts in addition to their aviation- and space-related items.

More information about the event, including a complete schedule, is available on the museum’s website, www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/spacefest.asp.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Admission and parking are free. For more information about the museum, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

It’s natural to be curious about the universe. Whether we casually peer through our living room window to observe the moon, or camp out in a remote area to view the stars, we have a strong impetus to connect with the world above us.

While it can be easy to find a few stars, the study of astronomy and the practice of stargazing can be ever-so complex. Words like azimuth and occultation seem rather strange, yet they are routinely used in describing stars or solar events. In addition, the coordinates used to pinpoint celestial objects seem as though they have been written in ancient Greek instead of Modern-day English.

Thankfully, star hunting newbies do have the chance to learn from astronomy buffs, so they can interpret the sky like the pros. Since 1918, the Miami Valley Astronomical Society, or MVAS for short, has been providing stargazers with the opportunity to learn more about the heavens, along with the requisite tools to view it. The first organization of its kind in the Dayton area, the founders included many notable public figures, such as former NCR president, Colonel Edward Deeds.

The MVAS currently has 130 members and is considered one of the largest astronomy clubs in the Ohio region. Aside from hosting monthly meetings, the MVAS also facilitates star gazes, lectures, and several educational outreach programs for local schools and Scout organizations.

According to Linda Weiss, the events and outreach coordinator for the MVAS, this year in particular they have skyrocketed in membership across all demographics. This has been due to the outpouring of recent astronomical events, such as the meteor that clipped Russia’s sky in February of this year, and the various meteor showers and comets that will traverse our sky soon.

Weiss recommends a pair of Oberwerk binoculars for the budding astronomer, since Oberwerk is a local company that will happily work with their customers to find the best tools for their experience level. “You don’t always need equipment, either,” explains Weiss. “You can see iridium flares, satellites, the International Space Station or a meteor show with the naked eye.”

To view satellites, Weiss says to look up at a pitch black sky and watch “for what appears to be a moving star.” To see the International Space Station, which is surprisingly the third brightest object in the sky (next to the sun and the moon), you can visit NASA’s website to find out when it will cross your area via email and text alerts.

Weiss noted, “The key for stargazing is getting the right equipment for your skill level and not something too advanced. Then, it’s all about having a dark sky, getting to know your objects (Smartphone apps help with that), and learning to stay up late, since many of the objects don’t rise until late at night or early in the morning.”

To garner interest in astronomy throughout the Miami Valley, the MVAS will host their annual Apollo Rendezvous from June 7^th – 8^th, which will be open to the public (although registration is required). The Rendezvous will take place at both the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery and the John Bryan State Park Observatory. A long list of lectures from industry professionals, vendors, observings, door prizes, and raffles will be among the activities.

When questioned about common astronomy misconceptions, Weiss was quick with her answer: you can actually look at the sun. “You just need a solar telescope or filters to do so,” she added. “There have been a lot of prominences (bright, gaseous extensions) on the sun’s surface lately, so it’s been really cool to look at them.”

For people who are curious in astronomy, joining a group, like the MVAS, is helpful for a variety of reasons: you can glean valuable insight from other astronomers, learn how to use your equipment properly, gain access to books and equipment, and attend observings with some of the most robust telescopes in the region.

There are so many ways to discover the universe these days. And thanks in part to significant advances in technology, such as apps and live telescope feeds, the universe is literally at your fingertips. However, one of the prime ways to unite with the world around us is as old-fashioned as can be: simply step outside. “Just look up,” mused Weiss. “There is so much going on in the sky, not just at night, but in the daytime, too. You don’t need expensive equipment to see or experience these things; all you need is the desire to do so.”

In addition to the annual Apollo Rendezvous, the MVAS will host “camper star gaze” events at the John Bryan State Park. These events are open to the public, and the MVAS will provide telescopes and binoculars for guests/non-members. The dates for these star gazes are May 25^th, June 1^st, June 22^nd, July 6^th, July 20^th, August 17^th, and August 31^st. All of these events begin at dusk and are weather permitting.

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Space Fest Features a Multitude of Activities and Adds a Third Astronaut Appearance

Stargazing with the Miami Valley Astronomical Society