Stargazing can be a rewarding and educational experience for children and adults alike. That's why ACT is teaming up with ACT. The Atheist Community of Tulsa (ACT) will be given private and exclusive access to the large observatory owned and operated by the non-profit Astronomy Club of Tulsa. They'll supply telescopes and a grill so bring your favorite food, friends, family, scope or binoculars (if you have one) and let's pray it doesn't get canceled this time!

At this time of year one of the best constellations (star patterns) of all is in the sky – Orion - which has more bright stars than any other constellation. As well as the three stars in a line there are two brighter stars, called Betelgeuse and Rigel, at top left and bottom right.

The three stars in a line are known as Orion's Belt. Orion is meant to represent a hunter, usually facing westwards towards Taurus, the Bull. Dangling from his belt is a sword, which is the line of fainter stars just below the belt where the map is marked M42. 

We'll also look out for Auriga, some distance directly above Orion. Its brightest star, Capella. Farther west from Taurus is Aries, whose brightest stars are a little group of three. The faintest of these, Gamma Arietis, is a rather pretty double star which you can see using a fairly small telescope. Worth a look, as the two stars are of different colors.

To the west, we should be able to spot the Square of Pegasus. It isn't as bright as the stars of Orion, but it's a good signpost to the other constellations in the area once you've found it, particularly Andromeda and the Andromeda Galaxy, Perseus and Cassiopeia.
The brightest thing in the night sky, apart from the Moon of course, will be Jupiter. If you look at it with binoculars you'll probably see some of its moons on either side of it. With a telescope you should be able to make out a couple of dark belts crossing its disc. As well as Jupiter, Venus is visible in the southwestern sky just after sunset. It's not much to look at now, but it will be more obvious in the evening sky next year. Mars gets up around 10 pm over in the east, and that, too, will be easier to observe next year.

Directions and carpooling information:

Highway 75 South to 241st street (Duck Creek Casino on your left).
Turn West (right) and go all the way to the end of the road where it will fork- stay to the left though the white gate.

Come to the top of the hill. If you are getting there before sundown you can park on the observing field. Look for the vehicle with the "Atheist Community of Tulsa" banner. If you arrive later or are planning on making it an early night, you may park in the old AT&T building lot.

For a satellite photo of the area, visit http://www.busoutoshi.net/act/

Carpooling scheduling is underway for all members. If you need traveling assistance, comment below and we'll make those accommodations. If you are offering your vehicle and time, please state your preference (age, smoking, how many, departure location, etc.) for others.

If you plan on bringing some meats or vegetables to grill, please comment below so we can coordinate our foods. You're also welcome to bring drinks, cookies, brownies, or anything else you think others will enjoy.

As always, our food drive box and ACT representative will be on hand collecting non-perishable food items for our food drive and clothes for the Day Center for the Homeless.