Sept. 21 - Branched Oak Observatory 5th Annual StarBQ

The Branched Oak Observatory is pleased to announce its 5th Annual StarBQ this Saturday, Sept. 21, from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Beginning at 5 p.m., we will have a SAFE solar viewing, (you get to do the one thing your mom told you to never do, but we can do it safely with specialized telescopes).  Also starting at 5 p.m. will be kids activities including our "Space Crafts" with make and take projects, a sun dial and Planisphere.  

We will have free frisbees and balsa wood gliders to hand out, and when you get hungry, we will have three food trucks to satisfy your palate: Tastees Food Trailer, Cajun Sneaux and Snax and Mary Ellen's.

The force arrives at 6 p.m. when the 501st Legion Central Garrison shows up.  This is the Star Wars Re-Enactment group that features Storm Troopers and all the other Imperial characters.  Hopefully the force will be extra strong with the Dark One himself making an appearance.

We will have a raffle drawing, which will include one-of-a-kind space art work and a top prize of a six-inch Dobsonian telescope! After the raffle drawing is complete, we will have a tour of the night sky, led by our astronomy staff: Michael Sibbernsen, Brian Sivill and Brett Boller.  We will have a WIDE variety of telescopes and possibly up to a 30-inch visiting telescope.

The UNL Physics Department will be there for hands on demonstrations, and with it being a Husker game night, we will have the radio playing and several TV's streaming the game.

Please come to the Branched Oak Observatory's 5th Annual StarBQ where we "Bring the Night Sky Down to Earth!"