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PAGE 10 |MAY 19 - 25, 2022
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FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
Dark Sky Week Takes Place Ahead of Webb Unveiling
BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
In just a couple of months, the new James Webb Space Telescope, by far the most powerful that humanity on this planet has been able to come up with yet, will complete its set-up and testing from its location already 18 million miles in space, and will finally be commissioned to begin routine probing and sending back crystal clear images from far deeper in the universe, and further back in time than we’ve been able to observe ever before. The results are already proving astounding.
The NASA project, run in conjunction with the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency, was built in part by Falls Church’s Northrup Grumman company.
This Saturday, May 21, is the annual Astronomy Day at the Crockett Park in nearby Midland, Virginia when a lot of new stargazers are expected due to the interest in the new telescope and its revelations. The park is south of Warrenton off Route 15 and the event goes from 1 to 4 p.m..
The scientists involved in the Webb telescope project have limited discussions of the scope of what the new telescope will be able to show going much, much further back to the time when the “Big Bang” that allegedly founded the universe occured. It will also provide enormous amounts of new data about the relatively-recently discovered phenomena of “black holes” and how they operate, including by providing images that are already coming in of “event horizons” on the lips of black holes, including the one we recently discovered, sits at the center of our own Milky Way galaxy. It will also be able to document how Einstein’s Theory of Relativity operates in real time, the way that gravity bends the time-space continuum, revealing a lot of new information on the implications of this for our current appreciation of timespace.
And it will likely be that the $64 dollar question will be conclusively answered, too, dealing with the existence and extent, or not, of intelligent life elsewhere in the cosmos. There should be enough “signatures” out there that we will be able to identify for the first time to determine that.
All these exciting developments coming beginning in just the next few months is already turning the gaze of millions on our tiny orb skyward. In recent years, the expanse of urbanization, and its use of electric light, has dramatically diminished our ability to look upon and contemplate the universe in which we sit.
So as data from the new James Webb Space Telescope begins to filter in to observers on this planet, finding places nearby with a diminished urbanization impact, where folks can get a relatively clear and good look at our skies, will assuredly become much more important.
So far around here, help is available in the form of a small Chantilly-based Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC), active in this area since 1980 with now about 1,000 members.
Among its regular activities is involvement with an annual International Dark Sky Week, observed during the week of the new moon in April (this year it fell between Apr. 22 — 30), founded in 2003 by a high school student from Virginia in an effort to raise awareness of light pollution (any unneeded artificial light) and its harmful effects on nocturnal animals, like bats and other pollinators.
But Dark Sky Week also highlights, of course, the night sky itself and presents a dedicated opportunity for amateur astronomers and stargazers to get a better look at the universe we are in.
The less light pollution, the better the view. In fact, according to the National Park Service, “roughly 80 percent of people in North America cannot see the Milky Way due to electric lights at night.” The dark sky is nowhere near as dark and clear as it once was, especially in the densely-populated, urbanized Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Even though the official Dark Sky Week is over, the website — found at idsw.darksky.org — features events from all around the world that occur throughout the year (organizations can even submit an event to add to the online calendar).
The local astronomy club’s emphasis rests on supporting the active observation of the sky, as well as on coordinating community outreach on an individual and group basis. Their motto, “To observe, and to help others observe,” encapsulates their work, which in turn embraces a wide range of astronomers, from newcomers to professional researchers and educators.
NOVAC holds monthly meetings with guests from the professional astronomical community, mentors new members, participates with Astronomical League and International Dark Sky Association programs, and provides observing sessions for local youth and civic groups, like various Scout troops.
The club also hosts two major events each year, weather permitting: Astronomy Day in the month of May and StarGaze in October. This year, Astronomy Day is this coming Saturday, May 21, at C.M. Crockett Park, 10066 Rogues Rd., in Midland, Virginia.
Astronomy Day includes a telescope meet and greet, solar and night sky observing, and other demonstrations.
NOVAC cooperates with George Mason University (that has its own observatory at its Fairfax campus), the University of Maryland, the Analemma Society, the Chevy Chase Community Center and other astronomy programs in the Washington, D.C. region.
The Analemma Society (analemma.org) has a similar mission, operating “exclusively for educational and scientific purposes,” seeking to further develop “awareness, appreciation, and understanding of science through astronomy” for all.
The “homebase” of all this rests at Observatory Park at Turner Farm (925 Springvale Rd, Great Falls, Virginia), operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA). The observatory there includes an Orientation Room utilized for educational programs, featuring three telescopes and a retractable, “roll-top” roof.
Robert Kellogg, Analemma Society webmaster, explained how in addition to the different events and courses at Observatory Park, there are experiential activities, “such as opening the observatory grounds…to watch the lunar eclipse” (which took place this past Sunday night, on the 15th).
Alan Figgatt, a co-coordinator of the astronomy courses offered through the FCPA and the Parktakes program, works with Jeff Kretsch in leading a team of volunteers during the Friday night public observations, using binoculars and telescopes. “The Friday public sessions are weather dependent,” explains Figgatt. “We have canceled the last two Friday events due to weather.”
NOVAC events, activities at Observatory Park and these nature walks all in some way incorporate information on light pollution, as artificial sources of light, especially in great quantity, not only make it harder to see all the stars on a given night but often negatively affect nocturnal animals and their place in the ecosystem.
Tammy Schwab, Manager, Education and Outreach at FCPA Resource Management, talked about light pollution in the region, explaining how “one of the immediately noticeable impacts of light pollution is the number of stars you can see with the naked eye. With light pollution in effect, only the brightest stars can be seen as the dimmer stars…are now washed out by the sky glow of light pollution.”
Schwab added that “this impacts other astronomy activities” as well, “including reducing the number of meteors seen during a meteor shower event. In general, these effects reduce the impact of the night sky experience that you might feel when in a dark sky area seeing millions of stars and the milky way.” Burke Lake Park, at 7315 Ox Rd, Fairfax Station, VA, is one of these dark sky areas available to the public and will be hosting a series of Campfire Saturdays: Stargazing events throughout next month.
“Some of FCPA’s astronomy programs across the county are about simply stargazing with the naked eye, learning and appreciating constellations and their stories…however, Fairfax county is very lucky to have the rolltop observatory at Turner Farm,” Schwab says.
Even though they are specifically designed to see farther and deeper into space, “telescope observations are also impacted by light pollution. While planets themselves are little impacted, we lose sight of many of their moons. With a good pair of binoculars or small telescope you could see four of Jupiter’s 53 named moons.”
In terms of in-person astronomy programs and events, Schwab explained that they are “actually at their peak from October to January when the sky gets darker earlier, allowing more reasonable time for viewing. This is when we have our monthly astronomy festivals. In the summer, darkness comes so late it is hard schedule programs lasting until true darkness.” (Alex Russell contributed to this report).
TURNER FARM’S OBSERVATORY PARK is a great place for people young and old to learn about astronomy hands-on. The Analemma Society, serving the Northern Virginia area, holds a variety of stargazing and educational events at Turner Farm, including Astronomy Festivals and eclipse observations. To learn more, visit analemma.org. (P���� J������ K������).
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
LOCAL
MAY 19 - 25, 2022| PAGE 11
Mustangs Stay Hot as Regular Athletic Seasons Come to a Close
by Ryan McCafferty
Falls Church News-Press
Another week brought another healthy serving of wins for the various Meridian High School Mustangs athletic programs, many of which concluded their regular season schedules. Among those were both lacrosse teams, as the boys traveled to Kettle Run on Monday to win 17-6 before returning home to fall to Brentsville on Wednesday in a 7-9 thriller and then wallop Eastern View 22-3 in their season finale the next night, bringing their final regular season record to 8-6. The girls played only Kettle Run and Eastern View, both at home and on the same nights, and dominated both teams 21-4 and 25-3 respectively, and move to 12-1 on the season with one game remaining before the playoffs. Both teams will play in the regional quarterfinals tonight, Thursday, May 19.
The baseball team watched its scorching hot winning streak reach ten games after starting the season 4-4, as they beat Falls Church 12-2 on Monday at home, Manassas Park 15-5 on Tuesday on the road, and returned to their stomping grounds to take down Brentsville in a defensive slugfest 1-0 on Friday. Meanwhile softball lost its lone game of the week, a 0-7 shuthout at home against Brentsville on Friday. Both teams still have one more week of action before their postseason begins.
The boys’ tennis team also had a rather light week, losing in a nailbiter to Alexandria City at home on Monday in a 4-5 decision for their only matchup, while the girls also fell to Alexandria City 2-7 but were able to defeat Skyline 7-2 the following night. Both teams are now 7-5 for the season while both also have two regular season games remaining. Meanwhile on the soccer field, the boys swept Manassas Park and Brentsville on Tuesday and Friday respectively, the former a 2-0 road victory and the latter a 7-0 domination at home, as they continue their undefeated season with their lone non-win being a tie against Annandale on April the 18th. The girls defeated Manassas Park 8-0 on Tuesday, their game at home, and then fell as they visited Brentsville by a score of 3-6 on Friday, bringing their overall record to 7-4-3. Both teams still have several games to go before their regular season concludes.
All in all, it was another successful week for the Mustangs. This season has come and gone in a hurry, and with several programs in prime position to make noise in their regional brackets, it will be exciting to see which of them have their efforts rewarded in the coming month.
Falls Church Little League: Featured ‘Game of the Week’
by Erika Toman
The Avalanche beat the Blueberries 2-1 in a low scoring pitcher’s duel
In their final year of Little League, two of the league’s most accomplished players showed what they were made of Wednesday, May 11 by leading their respective teams on the pitching mound. Matteo P. dominated the mound for the Avalanche (coach Pipia, sponsored by Montage Marketing). The pitcher dished a no-hitter through three and two-thirds innings pitched, striking out ten on the way, with no runs allowed. Elijah P. of the Blueberries (coach Greiner, sponsored by Cape Partners LLC) had another sterling performance with nine strikeouts, allowing only three hits in four innings pitched, with two runs allowed.
Not to be outdone, the relief pitchers also had strong outings. Closing out the game for the Avalanche, Patrick S. struck out four batters while allowing only one hit. For the Blueberries, Teddy G. threw one inning, allowing only one hit while striking out two batters.
The Blueberries fought until the end when the Avalanche pulled away for good when Rocky M. drew a walk, setting Luca P. up to steal home and score the winning run.
On the offensive side, Jeremy L. notched the Blueberries only hit. The Avalanche saw hits from from Patrick S., Matteo P., and Thomas P.
The Little League season will be coming to a close this month, so be sure to catch a game! Go to www.fckll.org for the full schedule.
ELIJAH P. and Matteo P. (Photo: Teresa Pipia)
Falls Church School News & Notes
Meridian Urban Farm Project Underway
The Meridian Urban Farm Project is pleased to announce the installation of several native pollinator gardens on the campus this spring. Thanks to grant funding from the Falls Church Education Foundation and technical support from the Pimmit Hills Pollinator Company and SiteOne Landscape Supply Company, these gardens were made possible. The installation of these gardens supports the FCCPS goal of increased environmental sustainability. These gardens’ maintenance and future expansion will be incorporated into classroom and extracurricular activities for both MHS and MEHMS in the coming years. The development of pollinator gardens utilizing native plants represents a significant opportunity to improve the well-being of native insects and animals within the local ecosystems. It will also provide students with hands-on learning opportunities as they become future stewards of the environment.
Field Day Volunteers Needed
Field Day is finally back! Mt Daniel Field day will be held on Wednesday, June 1st. Please help run and supervise eight stations (9 for 2nd grade). Stations will be inside and outside with a water relay so the kids can cool off. If you can help, could you sign up under your child’s grade level? The rain date is June 3rd. If you can help that day, please leave a yes or no in the comment box. The sign up form can be found at https://www.signupgenius.com/ go/20f0d49afa92ca1f58-mount.
Walk or Bike To School On Friday
Walk and Bike to School/ Work Day is Friday, May 20. Everyone is urged to Bike/Walk — especially to the Secondary campus where biking or walking might be the quickest method to reach the campus due to an event scheduled there. Parking also will be at a premium. This is an excellent opportunity to get extra fresh air and enjoy the warming temperatures.
Note: Bike riders should learn the rules of the road and hand signals before participating. Parents should use their judgment about accompanying students.
DOZENS TOOK ADVANTAGE of the two-night public viewing of the 2022 Meridian High School IB Art Show and recep-
