The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center and The Astronomical Society of Southeast Texas (ASSET) will co-sponsor an evening Star Party from 7:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2012. ASSET is a friendly group of amateur astronomers from Jefferson, Hardin, Jasper, Newton and Orange counties.

Members will be on hand with telescopes through which visitors can enjoy the night sky. This event is free to the public and children accompanied by an adult are welcome.

Michael Hoke, Director of Shangri La says, “With favorable weather, the Star Parties at Shangri La are a great way for the public to learn about astronomy and see celestial objects through powerful telescopes that many people normally would not have the opportunity to use.”

In addition to the numerous telescopes visitors can use to see the night sky, there will be a “star hopping activity” where attendees will be taught how to find objects in the spring night sky. Using a moderately high powered laser, guide stars will be pointed out and visitors will learn how to locate celestial bodies using these stars.

This event is free to the public and children accompanied by an adult are welcome. For more information, call 409.670.9113 or visit http://www.shangrilagardens.org. Located at 2111 West Park Avenue in Orange, Texas, Shangri La is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m.