nighttime observatory field trip

Grades: K-12
Duration: 1-2 hours
Availability: Select Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in Fall, Winter, and Spring. To book please email programs@snco.org with your group size and preferred dates.
NGSS Connection:
Location : SNCO Campus

Description:

Explore the night sky at the Observatory! Program includes one to two hours of astronomer-guided night sky viewing. Programs are customizable and can include only viewing or any of the following program options:

• Astronomer-led presentations. Topic options include:

  • What's in our Solar System: a review of the sun and the planets of our solar system

  • Rockets: Review of past and current rockets and the achievements possible from rockets

  • Rovers: learn about the history of space rovers with a focus on Martian rovers. 

  • What is a Star?: Focus on star life cycles and black holes

  • Exoplanets: discussion on planets around other stars

  • Asteroids, Meteoroids, and Comets: review of the smaller objects in our solar system. 

  • Humans in Space: Discussion on the Apollo missions and the International Space Station

• Telescope talk: discussion on the different kinds of telescopes and how they work 

• Meteorite discussion

• Seasonal constellations and moon phases activity: movement-based activity on how the Earth rotates and orbits around the sun, why we have seasonal changes in constellations, and why the moon appears to go through phases in our sky. 

We recommend groups select one of the above options and provide 1-2 options they would like in the event of poor weather or viewing conditions.

Pricing: $400 for a group of up to 35 students with a limit of 1 adult chaperone per 5 students. Additional group of up to 35 students on the same evening can be added for $100. Additional adult chaperones are $15/adult.

Smaller groups less than 20 students and 5 adults receive a small group discount for a total program fee of $250.

Program and transportation scholarships are available to qualifying schools.