On Tuesday, October 15, a group of Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community members participated in an Astronomy 101: Night with the Stars class at the Scottsdale Community College planetarium.

The session started with a brief introduction from Dr. Carver Bierson, SCC’s newest astronomy instructor and the instructor for the night. Afterwards, Dr. Bierson led the group to the planetarium, where he showed the night sky as seen from our location and pointed out different constellations and planets that were visible this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Participants were able to observe the stars and ask questions as Bierson explained the stars in our galaxy. He pointed out stars and constellations such as the North Star or Polaris (which we learned all stars rotate around), both the Big and Little Dippers, and Orion, a hunter in Greek mythology. During this time the planet Saturn was visible in the sky as well.

After a quick intermission, the night ended with a trip to SCC’s baseball field, where Dr. Bierson had two telescopes set up to observe the Moon and Saturn. Participants took turns looking through the telescopes. They enjoyed exceptionally clear images of the almost-full moon; Saturn, however, was a challenge to see, as it required constant readjustments to the telescope due to both the Earth’s and Saturn’s movement in the Solar System.  

The night was coordinated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Recreation Services Leisure Education program, which has partnered with SCC to offer classes for Community members on the SCC campus and also at the Way of Life Facility (WOLF).

“This last summer we were asked if we could do some kind of ‘astronomy 101’ [class] and some stargazing,” said Melanie Brum, director of external affairs at SCC. “I connected with our wonderful new instructor, and he planned all of the lessons and [coordinated] the observation and the equipment.”

“It’s a really good partnership we have [with SCC] and will continue to have,” said Douglas Cooper, Recreation coordinator for leisure education.

“The main thing is to educate the Community and show them what we have and what we offer with the Leisure Education Division, which is under Community Recreation Services,” added SRPMIC Library Assistant Josefina Vasquez. 

Recreation Services has upcoming Community events planned; for more information, call (480)362-6365.