Astronomy Star Party for 4th Graders
The Star Party is a science event where Acton and Boxborough 4th graders and their families become astronomers for a night. Sponsors of the Star Party include the Acton Public Schools (APS), the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston (ATMoB) and Acton PIP.
The Star Party has indoor and outdoor (weather dependent) components. Check the Star Party Website for a green "Go" or red "No Go" message. Note: Students must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. At the party, particpants are introduced to star gazing by a Sky&Telescope Magazine representative before joining Galileo in the gym. Galileo, played by Mike Francis, gives the evening a historical spin, then encourages the audience to join the astronomers outside to view the stars. See the "Acton Under the Stars" video below.
The winter and spring skies deliver spectacular shows from Saturn's rings to the Orion nebula to storms on Jupiter. The star gazers finish with hot cocoa, snacks, and take-home Starfinder Charts.
The Star Party complements the 4th grade APS curriculum.
See the Star Party at-home activities for 4th graders.
New Project! Learn your way around the night sky by finding constellations. Download and print the Star Finder for this month at the NASA site.
Astronomy Links
Museum of Science Planetarium NASA Multimedia Amazing Space: Tonight's Sky Space News The Space Place Celestia E-Planetarium The Galileo Project
2013 Star Party
Thank you for attending the 11th annual Star Party on Tuesday, March 5. Read the Beacon Article about the Star Party. See this year's Star Party Photos, courtesy of David McCormick.
Star Party Links
2013 Star Party Photos
2012 Star Party Wicked Local Article
2012 Star Party Photos
2012 Star Party Flyer
2011 Star Party Photos 2011 Star Party Flyer
2010 Star Party Photos
2010 Star Party Flyer
2009 Star Party Photos
2008 Star Party Photos
All photos are courtesy of David McCormick.
Volunteer Resources
Star Party Website
Star Party Needs List
Sky & Telescope Magazine
Starfinder Chart