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Paper Plate Education
"Serving the Universe on a Paper
Plate"
Hot Tub Astronomy
Some plate designs, by virtue of their non-paper composition,
hold up well to moisture and are conducive for outdoor use. Other activities
enhance time under the stars by preparing the observer for celestial
highlights. Consider some of these recommended activities:
Lighting Issues
 Hot
tub astronomy is enhanced when there are no objectionable lights causing
glare. When your intent is to observe celestial objects (with visibility
admittedly impaired by rising steam), the presence of sky pollution impinges on
the experience. The lead authority is the International Dark-Sky
Association (IDA) at www.darksky.org.
The IDA produces a brochure on how to talk to your neighbor about their lights (http://www.darksky.org/key/keynehbor.html).
Efforts to reduce light pollution are also presented at www.nightwise.org.
For a demonstration on the value of light shielding, see the paper plate
activity designed by an 8-year old at lights.htm.
Paper Plate Ed says: Hot
tubs are ideal for viewing meteors.
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One observer's results from the 2002 Perseids can be
viewed at the Meteor Shower activity
page. That same person was in a hot tub for the 2002 Leonids from
4:30-6:00 a.m., but saw no meteors, for it rained non-stop.
The night of August 12 and early morning of
August 13, (2002): Perseid meteor shower. Generally to the
northeast, but high and broad across the sky well after midnight. On a
paper plate with starfield, plot the track of meteors around the
radiant. For more information on the Perseid meteor shower see the International
Meteor Organization (IMO) The Leonid meteor shower peaks
in mid-November.
Events:
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