On clear nights, the UMBC Observatory aims to host pop-up stargazing events around campus. These “PopScope” events will be run by operators who will set up telescopes and engage with passers-by to view the night sky. The PopScope Program aims to make physics and astronomy more fun and accessible to UMBC students and members of the local community: anyone is welcome to join-in.
PopScope Operators are trained to engage with participants from any background in astronomy – from those who have never had the opportunity to use a telescope before, to expert telescope users. PopScope Operators will endeavor to describe the nighttime sky, identify key asterisms and constellations that help with way-finding, and give fun facts about the telescope targets.
After a few trial runs in September, the UMBC Observatory soft-launched the PopScope program, with 238 attendees through the month. This month, our PopScope operators viewed Saturn, the Moon, Vega and Altair, with a special crossover between the October Open House and the Northern Lights.
Jupiter is out of hiding, and the Moon is yellow! As the temperature drops through the month, familiar faces return to enjoy a good look at Saturn and its iconic rings. We expanded our horizons to PopScope on The Quad, and to great success: 160 attendees in just a single night! Stay tuned.
Author: Percy
Editor: Elammen, Jade
Date: 20241119