The Tacoma Astronomical Society and Puyallup Library staff are praying for dry weather next week. Tuesday night is the fifth annual free Star Party in the park outside the library – and for the last four years it’s been too rainy to use the society’s big telescopes.
This year, though, the forecast is looking unusually good so far – and the Stomp Rockets are always popular, whatever the weather.
An outreach event for the TAS, the annual “Stomp Rockets and Telescopes” star party attracts adults and kids curious to see more of the night sky than you usually can at home. TAS organizer Ray Stinson says there’s plenty to look at up there right now: Jupiter and Venus, plus a good view of the moon, which will be full by next Tuesday night and rising about 5:30 p.m. Other objects viewable through the society’s big telescopes are the Orion Nebula (M42), the Seven Sisters (M45) and open clusters like M35, M36, M37 and M44.
But it’s not just stars that get the kids interested – it’s the big stomp rockets. TAS members help kids make their own and launch them in Pioneer Park whatever the weather, with the option to buy construction kits for a small donation if you want to make one at home.
“The Stomp Rockets are a big hit with the kids,” says Stinson. “They’re popular wherever we go.”
Just keep praying for clear skies.
The free Star Party with the Tacoma Astronomical Society runs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday inside/outside the Puyallup Public Library (depending on weather) at 324 S. Meridian, Puyallup. 253-841-5454, puyalluplibrary.org. Tacoma Astronomical Society events are always free; see the schedule at tas-online.org
Rosemary Ponnekanti: 253-597-8568, rosemary.ponnekanti@ thenewstribune.com
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