Calendar of Events

Is the Sky Clear
at the APO?

Astronomy Software

The WILD Center

Tupper Lake

Chamber of Commerce

Kopernik Observatory

Bruce McClure's
Stargazing Page

Donor Organizations

Note: This year, the After School Astronomy Program starts on October 10, 2012!

  Starting October 5th, 2011, the APO teachers and volunteers began a seven week After School Astronomy Program at the APO office on Park Street in Tupper Lake. Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades from LP Quinn Elementary School signed up to learn about the Solar System. The program has been a great success and there were on-average 14 enthusiastic students attending.

  Students were engaged, each week, by a brief presentation and in activities, that explored, the Sun, including observing sun spots; the sizes of the planets and their distances from the sun; the moon, and the forming of craters; space rocks, the different materials found in space; and star-gazing, observing the moon and the planet Venus and some of its moons.

  "Each of the students showed a strong interest in the astronomy program and delighted in the educational AND fun activities highlighting the subject of the week" said Gordie Duval, Chair of the Education Committee and a program presenter. "The intensity demonstrated by the kids attending was evident throughout the program, and we were pleased to present each student with a 'Certificate of Achievement" at our last session.

Observing The Sun Click each image for a larger view
Looking through the solar filters	Observing sun spots
Planet Sizes and Distances
Determining planet sizes	Drawing pictures of the planets
How far are the planets from the Sun? Making a 'Pocket Solar System'	The relative sizes of the planets;
The Moon and Craters
Making a crater	Watching a video about the Moon
Space Rocks
Exploring the possibility of space collisions	Discovering how asteroids are found
Identifying different space 'rocks'
Star Gazing: The students take turns looking at Jupiter and four of its moons "Up Close and Personal"
Earning a 'Certificate of Achievement' from the Adirondack Public Observatory
Group photo with certificates