D&R Greenway Land Trust Invites Public to a Virtual Evening Program of Astrophotography: Stars and Constellations over Hopewell’s St. Michaels Farm Preserve 

Virtual Happy Hour: The Sky’s the Limit

WHEN: Wednesday March 31, from 5:00 until 6:00 PM
WHERE: Space for this popular program is limited to 100 participants.  To receive the free link to the program, register at rsvp@drgreenway.org. 
More information is available at www.drgreenway.org

D&R Greenway begins its new offerings of popular educational Virtual Happy Hours with a unique program that will leave participants in awe of the night skies. 

This virtual program provides opportunities to view vast arrays of stars and constellations literally found overhead of our own backyards. Experience the superb photography achieved with a telescope and special photographic equipment over our St. Michaels Farm Preserve, with physicist Taylor Blanchard. He chose our Hopewell preserve because "The skies over St. Michaels Farm Preserve are about as good as it gets in New Jersey!"

Our local skies have been rich in "star" phenomena lately. Key events commenced with the July 2020 arrival of Comet NEOWISE, brightest in decades, in the Northern Hemisphere. Scientists are still buzzing over the 'Christmas Star' conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, visible in night sky for the first time in 800 years.

D&R Greenway President and CEO, Linda Mead, said, “There has been a lot going on over our heads! Physicist Taylor Blanchard (below) views our Hopewell preserve as the perfect location for astrophotography, with its expanses of open fields and (that rare phenomenon!) ‘some of the darkest skies in New Jersey.’ He will share advice on techniques and equipment for taking memorable deep-sky photographs, including how to track stars and planets in their journeys.” (Above, right: Eastern Veil Nebula)

Mead promises a cosmic time with Blanchard: “You’ll never look at the night sky the same way again.”

For those who must miss this memorable event, a recording will be made available to all who register their email address with D&R Greenway Land Trust. (Top image: Andromeda galaxy photographed from St. Michael's Preserve)

Branford shares his personal view on the power of art and science: "Art is how we express the wonders of the universe. Science is how we understand the wonders of the Universe."

BACKGROUND  D&R Greenway Land Trust, an accredited nonprofit, has saved over 21,000 acres of New Jersey land since its 1989 founding. Preserving land for life and creating public trails grants everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for neighbors—including those in need. D&R Greenway’s strategic land conservation and stewardship combat climate change, protect wildlife, and ensures clean drinking water for future generations. D&R Greenway's mission is connecting land with people from all walks of life. D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center, home to its art galleries in Princeton, is currently closed to ensure health and safety due to COVID. Our outdoor trails and labyrinth are open. Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages and www.drgreenway.org to learn about the organization’s latest news and virtual programs. D&R Greenway Land Trust, One Preservation Place, Princeton NJ 08540. Best way to reach D&R Greenway Staff during the COVID pandemic is by e-mail, available on their web-site.

March 14: Spring Ahead, March 20: Spring Arrives!

 

Spring Ahead and Spring into Spring!  Turn those clocks ahead one hour on Sunday, March 14! Sure, we lose an hour of sleep, but sunset will be an hour later. Since we're so close to the equinox, you'll see the Sun rise around 7 a.m. and set around 7 p.m. once we start DST. The Vernal (Spring) Equinox is on March 20th. Folklore says that you can stand an egg on its end on the equinox. Give it a try! In fact, try it today! You can actually do it any day of the year.

 

 

Visit our Website What's Up?   The sky is full of stars. There's a rover starting to explore Mars. Is it time to change the clocks again? Check this week's Star Talk for more information. New episodes are uploaded each Sunday.

Explore the Universe with RVCC Planetarium

 

 

Watch our YouTube channel for weekly updates on what's visible in the sky as well as activities you can do at home. Do you miss the Planetarium? Take a tour of the exhibits. Join our Facebook Group for regular posts about astronomy news, activities, virtual tours, satellite passes that you can see in the real sky, and more! Follow us on Instagram to see pictures we take at the 3M Observatory and other news. We've put together a list of some of our favorite astronomy websites. This is by no means a complete list of what's out there, just some of the ones that we go to regularly.   Virtual Field Trips   Teachers, Principals, Science Supervisors, Scout Leaders, Home School coordinators, Senior Center managers, and Parents!  Schedule virtual field trips for your students and clients. Programs are led by a live Planetarium Educator and always include time for Q&A. Scheduling is flexible. We can present during the school day, after school, or evenings. Number of attendees: up to 30 per session Fee: $75 for a 45-minute program $100 for Magic Tree House: Space Mission The Planetarium will provide a password-protected Zoom link before your date. We can also schedule programs on Google Meet or Microsoft Teams. You can also invite the Planetarium to join your preferred platform. Rockin' Rocket Ride: Our popular show has an online version. Join us on an adventure into space to learn about the Sun, Moon, and planets. (Grades PreK-K) To the Moon and Back: Begin with a story about the Moon, then watch the Moon change shape in our virtual sky, and pretend to be astronauts who can travel there. (for PreK-Grade 2) Magic Tree House: Space Mission  Join Jack and Annie as they look for answers to questions about space. Together, we’ll explore some of those topics to see if we find similar answers.  (Grades K-4)  Cosmic Address: You probably know your home address, but what about where you live in the Universe? (Grades K-12) Our Solar System: go on a tour of the planets in our solar system (Grades K-12) Tonight's Sky: identify stars and constellations we can see tonight and learn some constellation stories that go along with them. (Grades K-12) Patterns in the Sky: The Sun observe the Sun's rising and setting positions through the year. (Grades 2-12) Patterns in the Sky: Moon Phases Why and how does the Moon's shape change? (Grades 2-12)  True or False, Astronomy Version: Some statements seem obvious, but are they? We'll explore statements like "brighter stars are closer to us" and "the Moon is only visible at night." (Grades 5-12)   Registration Form for a Virtual Field Trip Watch at Home!   We've linked to over a dozen planetarium shows on our website for you to enjoy at home. You can learn about stars and planets, mythology stories, flight, and even the weather!   This spring and summer, RVCC has a variety of virtual programs for grade school to high school students. We start with a virtual Open House where vendors will speak to families and students about their programs offered later this month on Sunday, March 21st, from 1-3 pm. Families can register HERE.   We have Black Rocket & Super Science Programs for Kids to increase knowledge in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). Enrichment programs include English and writing courses, Journalistic Writing, Workshops for Young Writers, and more. The artistic programs include Fantasy Fun Crafts, as well as a class to improve time management and create vision boards. RVCC will be working with the High Level 5th Quarter Training program to provide a health & wellness camp. We also have our great Intro to Astronomy course. SAT/ACT prep courses will also be available for this summer. Spring registration begins March 8th and Summer registration begins April 5th, 2021.  The Sky in March Mars is part of the evening sky all month long. Look for the Red Planet high in the west after sunset. Mars passes 7 degrees north of hte star Aldebaran in Taurus the Bull on March 20. The distance between Earth and Mars is increasing. At the start of the month, Mars is 1.48 astronomical units or 137 million miles from Earth. By the month's end, that distance has increased to 1.72 AU or 160 million miles. Mars is shining at about magnitude 1. Uranus is also part of the evening sky and can be found with binoculars or a small telescope. Look for Uranus about 20 degrees above the western horizon at 7 pm. It will be 4 degrees from the Moon on March 16th. Mercury was near the giant planets Jupiter and Saturn in the pre-dawn sky, but small Mercury has slipped closer to the Sun and can't be seen by mid-month. Jupiter and Saturn are low in the southeastern sky just before sunrise. Jupiter is shining at magnitude -2 while Saturn (to the upper right) is at magnitude 0.75. Venus is too close to the Sun to be seen this month. Venus is at superior conjunction with the Sun on March 26th. This is when Venus will be on the far side of the Sun from us. The winter constellations, Taurus, Auriga, Gemini, Orion, Canis Major, and Canis Minor, are all in the southwest sky after sunset. The spring constellations, including Leo the Lion, are starting to make their appearance in the eastern sky in the evening. Follow RVCC Planetarium on Facebook and YouTube for weekly updates about sky events.   ‌ ‌ ‌ Moon Phases New Moon March 13 First Quarter March 21 Full Moon March 28 Last Quarter April 4

Your #NMOAatHome Lineup | Week of February 1

Check out our past weeks’ videos on Facebook or on Youtube.      This Week   FEATURED EVENT Ask an Astronomer: A Cosmic Perspective — Searching for Aliens, Finding Ourselves   Tuesday, February 2, Noon  Are we alone in the universe? Or does life exist elsewhere? Award-winning astronomer, Dr. Jill Tarter will lead a discussion on where we came from, how we fit into the cosmos, and where we are going. REGISTER     Happy Hour: Art, Culture & Spirits  Friday, February 5, 6pm  In celebration of Black History Month, special guest Aaron R. Tucker, celebrity wardrobe stylist & costume designer, will discuss the advancement of people of color in and around the fashion industry. Danielle Pearman from Drinks with Dannie will be joining in to create a delicious cocktail called Love Potion Rose Spritzer. MORE INFO Virtual Family Drop-In: The Principles of Hip Hop   Sunday, February 7, 2pm  This ensemble of dynamic and energetic dancers uses breakdancing and an abundance of audience participation to explore hip hop’s rich cultural history as well as how Black youth changed the world. REGISTER     Purchase Tickets Today   Virtual Homeschool: The Art of Photography Wednesday, February 17, 10am $10 per student Learn about photography and create your own works in this fun interactive smartphone photography lesson. Students will discuss perspective, still-life photography, portraits, and angles as they create and understand the art of photography.  PURCHASE TICKETS   Virtual Live Figure Drawing Tuesday, February 23, 7pm $7 - Members, Seniors & Students $10 - Adults Figure drawing is a foundational practice that will improve a wide array of art making skills. Hone your techniques in this one-hour session with a live model who will go through a variety of poses. PURCHASE TICKETS   Save the Date   Studio Snapshot: Patricia Dahlman   Wednesday, February 10, Noon  MORE INFO     Art Bites: Valentine Edition  Thursday, February 12, 7pm  MORE INFO   Community Day: Celebrating Carnival Presented by Horizon Foundation for NJ   Saturday, February 13, 10am - 8pm  MORE INFO     111th Annual Meeting of The Newark Museum Association   Wednesday, February 17, 4pm  MORE INFO     Art Roast  Thursday, February 18, 8pm  MORE INFO   Want access to exclusive Member Experiences?   Become a Member Today

#NMOAatHome brought to you by    Image Credits: 1. Unrecorded artist, Peach-Shaped 'Precious Spring Longevity' Covered Box, Qing Dynasty, (1644-1911). China. Wood, carved three-color lacquer 6 1/4 x 6 3/4 x 3 in. Gift of Herman A. E. Jaehne and Paul C. Jaehne, 1941  41.1486A,B 2. Marsden Hartley, Mt. Ktaadn, First Snow #2,1939-40. Oil on academy board, 30 7/8 x 37 in. Purchase 1940 Felix Fuld Bequest Fund  40.123     The Newark Museum of Art 49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102 973.596.6550 newarkmuseumart.org The Museum is temporarily closed.       Copyright © 2021 The Newark Museum of Art, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have a relationship with us.