[AstroNet] IYA events at the National Museum, Blomfontein

[Christian Hettlage]

Dear All,

There will be various IYA events at the National Museum in Blomfontein  
during the next days. Please see an excerpt from the museum's press  
release below. You may find the press release as well as an invitation  
poster for the star picnic at

http://www.astronomy2009.org.za/for-public/events/2009-events/iya-events-at-the-national-museum-blomfontein/

Kind regards,

Christian

----------------- IYA events at the National Museum, Blomfontein  
----------------------

The National Museum has planned activities to engage the public in  
various ways.

Outreach programmes at selected schools include visits by the  
Education Department of the Museum with presentations on the Solar  
System and the Universe to pre-primary, primary and high schools.

A scale model of the sun and planets will be built in the garden of  
Oliewenhuis Art Museum. A selected school will build the planets using  
recycled materials, while the Museum’s technical departments will  
build the sun. Learners will be taken on a tour from the “sun” to the  
“planets”, where presenters will share interesting facts about each  
planet. This exhibition will be open for viewing by learners on  
Thursday 15 October. Schools that would like to attend this  
Astronomical Tour will need to book in advance. Bookings can be made  
at the Museum (051 4479 609, ask for Tebogo). Entrance is free but the  
schools will have to arrange their own transport to Oliewenhuis Art  
Museum. The Astronomical Tour will also be open to the general public  
from 15h00 to 16h30 on 15 October and from 08h00 to 16h30 on Friday 16  
October.

A “Picnic under the Stars” will be held on Friday 16 October at 18h00  
at Oliewenhuis Art Museum. The event will start with a presentation  
entitled “Spring skies and Constellations” presented by Mr Phillip  
Coetzer, a member of the Bloemfontein Centre of the Astronomical  
Society of SA. Entrance is free but booking is essential (051 447  
9609, ask for Tebogo). Bring your own picnic baskets, blankets or  
chairs and join us for a fun-filled evening of stargazing.