Winter Star Party at Norman Bird Sanctuary 2025
by Francine Jackson
Winter Star Party at Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown
Friday, January 23, 2025
by Francine Jackson
It’s always fun to set up a telescope and enjoy the beautiful winter sky – especially in the snow! On January 23, Jim Hendrickson and Francine Jackson, along with Jonathan Jeffreys, did just that, joining Education Curator Sara Poirier at the Norman Bird Sanctuary for an evening of cookies, hot chocolate and the stars. The program began in the education studio, with Sara introducing the 40 guests to the sky, and the possible objects that would be seen through the telescopes. Then, it was outside, for beautiful views of the visible planets, star clusters, and any requests from the participants.
Middletown’s Norman Bird Sanctuary has possibly the best night sky in the state, with only slight horizon light in the west. On this night, although the temperature was in the 20s, there was no wind, and the viewing was steady. Objects observed included the planets available: Venus, Jupiter and Mars; M31, and the Pleiades. All the participants were very thrilled with their times at the telescopes, and thanked us for setting up in the snow, which didn’t create any problems for anyone, those at the scopes, and those viewing through them.
This was the second “snow viewing” night at the Sanctuary, and all who were there, both us and those who came, enjoyed themselves to the fullest. Sara noted the guests all responded positively, and she is looking forward to having more observing nights there, snow or no snow.
