Planets for the People
The next time you see a crowded sidewalk in Columbia it could be a line at a popular night spot or it might be a group of sidewalk astronomers! Last winter the South Carolina State Museum started partnering with the Midlands Astronomy Club to present a new outreach program, Planets for the People: Sidewalk Astronomy.
This event brings stargazing to the streets of Columbia to introduce passersby to telescopes and astronomical observation skills. Since its start Planets for the People has offered many attendees their first opportunity to look deep into the sky through a telescope. It is also a chance to acquaint people with celestial objects that are often overlooked. For example, while some planets are visible to the naked eye they are often mistaken for stars. Plus, if you are a fan of telescopes, members of the Midlands Astronomy Club will be able to discuss the types and brands of telescopes currently available. Many observers enjoy learning how telescopes work and about the advanced drive systems that find objects and track them through the sky!
On Saturday March 3 from 6-9 p.m. the next Planets for the People will take place at the Hunter-Gatherer Brewery & Alehouse located at 900 Main St. SC State Museum staff and Midlands Astronomy Club members will set up telescopes outside the restaurant to give attendees a look at the moon, planets and stars. Guests will have a chance to peer into a solar scope early in the evening to get a close up at the sun and after dark we’ll search out planets like: Venus, Mercury and Jupiter.
Planets for the People is free to the public and great fun for the whole family! You can learn more about this event at the museum’s website: http://www.scmuseum.org/ or by calling 803.898.4944.
Check out this video to see last year’s Planets for the People!
