Enjoy a brief, family-friendly astronomy activity followed by skygazing. Volunteers from the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society provide telescopes. Dress warmly, bring water and a blanket or chair to sit on in the parking lot. If bringing a flashlight, use a red light or cover it with red cellophane. Activities at Bobcat Ridge will begin at the picnic shelter, a 0.25 miles walk from the parking area. Please arrive on time! Allow for a 10-minute walk to the shelter. The gate closes shortly after start times and parking is not allowed on the road outside the gate. Free; registration is required. DATE Sat. June 13 TIME 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. DESCRIPTION Mysteries of the Eclipse Explore how eclipses occur and where to see them in 2020. Participate in lunar and solar eclipse demonstrations. This is a virtual program! Go to fcgov.com/register for details and to sign up. Sat. July 11 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. The Joy of Jupiter Jupiter reaches opposition on July 14. Learn more about Jupiter, what opposition is, and why this is the best time to see the biggest planet. Sat. Aug. 8 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Seeing Saturn It's Saturn's turn for opposition! The ringed planet has its closest approach on July 20 and will now be easily visible in the night sky. We'll visit the varied moons of Saturn as well as many of its unique properties. Fri. Sept. 11 7:15 - 9:15 p.m. Conjunction, Not Collision Saturn and Jupiter are headed to conjunction. Learn how the planets move and how we are able to make predictions about what we will see in a few months. We won't see this again for another 20+ years! Sat. Oct. 17 6:15 - 8:15 p.m. Humans on Mars? The red planet will be at its brightest and will join Saturn and Jupiter in the evening sky for the next 6 months. We'll explore the science and mystery of Mars and what it will take to get humans there someday. Jeremy White Check for cancellations at fcgov.com/naturalareas before you go! -37- NATURAL AREAS AFTER DARK ASTRONOMY AT BOBCAT RIDGEhttp://www.fcgov.com/register http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas