TCC to co-sponsor star-watching party
by Nick Nance, managing editor

    TCC and Tarleton State University will sponsor the sixth annual North Texas Sky Watch Star Party Saturday, Nov. 2, in Mineral Wells State Park.

   The speaker this year will be Rebecca Miller, meteorologist for NBC channel 5.

   Michael Hibbs and Ray Benge started the North Texas Sky Watch Party several years ago.

   Hibbs, a full-time professor at Tarleton, and Benge, associate professor on NE, were then part-time astronomy and physics instructors at TCC.

   According to Benge, they began the event to give amateur astronomers and curious individuals a day to look at the moon and planets.

   The one-day event was inspired by other local sky-watching parties.

   However, other parties are about a week long, too much time for typical amateurs to attend, or they are just show-and-tell demonstrations, Benge said.

   Hibbs wanted an event that would mix both.

   He teamed up with David Owens, the interpretive ranger at Cleburne State Park, to accomplish this plan.

   “The goal is to attract both serious amateurs who want a one-day star party and the general public,” Benge said.

   “This is to give those astronomers a one-day event and the public the opportunity simply to learn about the stars,” he said.

   A few years after the event began, Owens transferred to a new position at Lake Mineral Wells State Park.

   The star-watching event followed Owens to his new home. This year’s event will begin at 4 p.m. with amateur astronomers setting up equipment.

   Also, representatives from several area colleges will set up booths to share information about their institutions.

   Benge said several speakers will give lectures about selecting and buying a first telescope.

   Following Miller’s lecture, visitors can view celestial objects through the various telescopes and ask questions, Benge said.

   Unlike many of the major star parties for amateur astronomers, Benge said, this event has no registration fee. The only cost is for park admission.

   In the past, the turnout has been so large the park has set aside areas for participants interested in camping there overnight.

   Benge said visitors should bring red filtered flashlights to avoid disturbing the dark adaptation of others.

   After the speeches, the event will continue until dawn or everyone falls asleep, Benge said.

   For more information, contact Benge at 817-515-6845 or visit Lake Mineral Wells State Park on its Web site at http://www.tpwd. state.tx.us/park/lakemine/.