Beneath the ink-black canvas of a Milton night, the Milton Public Library became a portal to the cosmos as the Vermont Astronomical Society illuminated the mysteries of the universe in a celestial soiree known as the ‘Night Sky Program.’ 

The Nov. 1 event, designed for school-age children and adults, delivered an evening of astronomical wonder, including presentations, telescopes and insights into the mysteries of the cosmos.

Despite unfavorable weather conditions preventing attendees from gazing through telescopes, over 40 people of all different ages filled the MPL conference room.

MPL’s marketing and social media librarian, MaryBeth Peterson, introduced the event and its presenters. Leading the presentation was the current president of the Vermont Astronomical Society, Jack St. Louis, and committee chair Jim Bosek. 

“The Vermont Astronomical Society is a group of amateur astronomers with varying backgrounds and levels of expertise whose mission is to promote amateur astronomy in Vermont,” its website states.

VAS, founded in 1964, has grown significantly over the years, now boasting over 90 active members.

“I remember when there were just three of us in the group,” St. Louis said, reflecting on the organization’s evolution since joining in 1966. 

A notable feature of VAS is its Mentoring Program, aimed at assisting beginners in amateur astronomy. The program pairs novices with experienced VAS members who guide them through various aspects of the hobby, from night sky observation to telescope operation and even advanced astro-imaging.

As part of the presentation, St. Louis shared some intriguing space-related facts, enlightening the audience. He revealed that the Big Dipper is not a constellation in itself but rather a part of the Great Bear constellation, showcasing its tail.

“Most of the stuff out there (in space) is made of hydrogen,” St. Louis said.

Bosek contributed to the presentation by presenting a model comparing the size of the Earth and moon, as well as demonstrating their relative distances on a smaller scale. This visual aid allowed attendees to better grasp the relationship between the Earth and moon. 

After the educational portion, St. Louis and Bosek shared images captured by amateur astronomers associated with VAS. They also introduced attendees to the “Stellarium Astronomy Software,” a user-friendly planetarium program that replicates the night sky’s appearance. This software is available free of charge.

For those eager to explore the cosmos more intimately, MPL offers local residents the opportunity to check out a telescope. 

“I think there are about 30 telescopes in libraries across Vermont that people can check-out,” Bosek said. 

One attendee inquired why constellations visible in Vermont were different from those her daughter saw in Africa, to which St. Louis explained, “The sky is different depending on where you are; it’s always changing.” 

Your location on Earth significantly affects the constellations and stars visible, with the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere offering distinct celestial panoramas.

The presentation also gave insight into the types of telescopes suitable for amateur astronomers and offered guidance on purchasing choices.

“You can spend all your money on astronomy,” St. Louis said. “But, you don’t have to.” 

Attendees received valuable information about telescope categories, lenses and other tools, including recommendations for affordable brands. Telescopes generally fall into one of three categories: refractors, reflectors, and catadioptric or compound scopes, each with unique features and applications.

The next space-related event at the Milton Public Library, located at 39 Bombardier Road, is an introduction to solar eclipse science. It is scheduled to go from 10-11 a.m. on Feb. 28. 

From 1:30-3:30 p.m. on April 8, MPL will host a solar eclipse viewing party. 

For further information about upcoming MPL events, visit the library’s Facebook page and website.