Saturday, October 16, 1999
Observatory invites visitors to sky fair
BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Alan Dressler remembers his father hoisting him so he could peer through the small refracting telescope at what is now the Cincinnati Observatory Center. That lone experience at age 5 made him want to become an astronomer.
“I was telling people the next day I was going to be an astronomer,” said Dr. Dressler, an astronomer at the Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena, Calif.
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IF YOU GO
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• What: Scope Out '99: Featuring hourly astronomy and nature classes, telescope and astronomer vendors, telescope-making demonstrations, telescope contest and swap meet, and tours.
• When: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., free classes; 5:30 p.m., dinner and keynote lecture; 7:30 p.m. to midnight, stargazing.
• Where: Cincinnati Observatory Center, 3489 Observatory Place, Hyde Park.
• Cost: Tickets are $7.50 for adults; $5 for ages 10 to 18; free for children 10 and under; lecture is $15; dinner and lecture is $25.
• More information: 321-3927 or 886-7600.
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“People have to understand how little influences like that can change a whole person's life,” said Dr. Dressler, 51, who grew up in Bond Hill. “We need to make sure we have even more of those opportunities for little kids while their eyes and minds are open and they're still interested.”
To help get more young people excited about astronomy, the internationally renowned scientist is returning to Cincinnati as keynote speaker for today's Scope Out '99. His topic: “Galaxy, Star, Planet, Life — Where Did We Come From? Are We Alone?”
Over the last two years, the number of children visiting the Cincinnati Observatory Center has increased fourfold because officials have made the Hyde Park observatory more accessible and the observatory has a greater presence in schools, said Tricia Bevan, vice president of the observatory's board of trustees.
The fair, sponsored by the Friends of the Observatory and the Cincinnati Astronomical Society, will include workshops on how to buy and use telescopes and how to use binoculars to observe stars and the planets. Weather permitting, fair-goers will also be able to stargaze using the observatory's two historic telescopes.
Dr. Dressler says his experience in the Queen City was valuable.
“I had a good education in the public schools, and it opened up the world to me,” said the Walnut Hills High School alumnus.
As a researcher, Dr. Dressler travels around the world using some of the most advanced telescopes to study how galaxies and stars were formed.
Chuck Strubbe, vice president of Friends of the Observatory — a volunteer support and astronomy group for the Cincinnati Observatory Center — said the fair was organized in part to educate parents and children about telescopes.
“We thought this would be a good time to get the word out. And also we want to open the observatory up to people,” said Mr. Strubbe, of Mount Lookout.
Said Ms. Bevan: “It's just an effort to reach out and help the public in an area where the observatory has some expertise. Our main focus is to help people know what our resources are and to make use of them.”
Organizers aim to make Scope Out an annual event.
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