“Sky Watch,” presented by local astronomer Mike Myer, Humboldt, highlights next week’s programs at the library, starting at 7 p.m. Thursday.
With the moon nearly full, Jupiter and Saturn are now in great position to show off their most notable attributes, viewed through the six-inch lens of the library’s telescope and explained by Myer.
Following an audiovisual presentation in the meeting room, he will take the audience outdoors for a look through the telescope.
“The full moon is a few days off, but we will be able to see a lot of its craters and mountains,” Myer said. “Jupiter will be at opposition, so we should be able to see its stripes and belts.Those stripes and belts are actually the tops of gas clouds that make up the planet. We will also be able to see as many as four of its moons. Saturn will be in a nice position, too, showing off her rings; we will not have any trouble seeing them through the telescope.”
Myer, who describes himself as an amateur, is recognized as a Master Observer by the Astronomical League, a world-wide organization of amateur astronomers. The library’s telescope, available for checkout, is one of two gifted by Myer.
Then, at 5 p.m. Friday, Jenn Rader, director of the Southeast Kansas Nature Center, presents an interactive program, “All About Bats,” for youth and adults. She will discuss bat habits and habitats, their benefit to humans and how we can help them.
Continuing programs include Monday night Chess Club with Anna Mitchell at 6 p.m., the “2 O’clock Book Talk” with Colleen Dobbins on Wednesday and the Thursday bridge group for the first of two “refresher” classes at 7 p.m. Bridge this week will meet at the library’s Flewharty Annex, 211 East St.
With the annual Friends of the Library Fall Used Book Sale coming up, Oct. 13-16, the library is now accepting donations of hardback books in good condition. Donations may be delivered in the alley next to the garage door. A phone call to 620-365-3262 will bring library staff to unload.
