Under the faint glow of starlight, locals are finding their way to Highland Road for clearer views of the open night sky.
Evening Sky Viewing is a weekend event held at the Highland Road Park Observatory from 8:30 to 10 Friday nights and 7:30 to 10 Saturday nights.
The observatory also hosts an intellectual lecture series aimed at a general adult audience on Friday nights from 7:30 to 8:30.
Visitors can view close-ups of the moon, seasonal astronomical events and objects through the 20-inch-telescope.
Christopher Kersey, manager of the Highland Road Park Observatory, said the observatory has been open to the public on Friday nights since its completion in 1997 and has been open on Saturday nights for at least six years.
“The universe helps us keep it interesting,” Kersey said. “You never know when there might be a wonderful comet apparition or a strong meteor shower for that particular year.”
Every fourth Saturday, activities including a marshmallow roast, technical challenges and physical science demonstrations are held.
“People come for different reasons,” Kersey said. “Some people come on a date, or we get families who have young kids, space astronomy enthusiasts, regulars and kids who have grown up here.”
Kersey said most of the observatory’s programs are catered toward children with the exception of the Friday Night Lecture Series, which is geared toward adults but can be understood by high school students or enthusiastic middle school students.
“We pride ourselves on having intelligent and thought provoking talks — from very practical stuff like stargazing and NASA missions to abstract stuff like quantum physics,” Kersey said.
Merrill Hess, observatory volunteer and Baton Rouge Astronomical Society member, operated the telescope Friday. He said he has been involved with the observatory since its conception.
Hess said they see a mix of visitors at the weekend sky viewing — regulars and first timers, old and young.
“A lot of people have heard of us but have never been here,” Hess said. “We get a lot of regular people again and again, but a good amount — probably 15 to 20 percent — are new.”
Hess encouraged people looking to learn about astronomy to visit the observatory, get to know visitors and learn the constellations in the night sky.
“The sky is like a road map. The constellations give you directions,” he said.
Friday visitors viewed the moon, Saturn and a globular cluster through the telescope. Hess said visitors can make requests, depending on the crowd size, moon phase, time of year and weather.
Kaylah Guidry, anthropology junior, said she has been regularly visiting the observatory for six years.
“I am extraordinarily fascinated by space,” Guidry said. “I love to bring new people here and show them the knowledge you can learn. It’s a great place because you can see the things that are out there, and it gets kids out of routine so they can learn more about the world.”
As a BREC park, the Highland Road Park Observatory is able to offer Evening Sky Viewing and many other events free of charge.
 
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Contact Morgan Searles at [email protected]