International Year of Astronomy - Nebraska
In commemoration of the 400th year anniversary of Galileo Galilei using a telescope for astronomical purposes, the International Astronomical Union and the United Nations created the International Year of Astronomy 2009. The year-long event is an effort to bring together professional astronomers, hobby astronomers, astronomy educators, planetariums, and science museums, to excite and educate the entire world about astronomy and space science. IYA Nebraska will be your source for International Year of Astronomy events here in our state.

Can I Buy a Star?
Various businesses claim that you can have a star named after you or a friend. See this page for more information. The names of astronomical objects are determined by the International Astronomical Union (I.A.U.).

Build on a Legacy - Become a Hyde Volunteer
Help build on a tradition of astronomy education and public observing at Hyde Observatory. It's a lot of fun and can be very rewarding.

Is Light Pollution Interfering with Your Enjoyment of the Night Sky?
Learn what you can do to help. Visit our Light Pollution Fact Sheet, or check out the International Dark Sky Association website.

Thinking of Buying a Telescope?
Check out the PAC Telescope Buyer's Guide. The guide includes information on reflectors vs. refractors, focal length, magnification and related issues.

Amateur Astronomy: The Universe at your Fingertips.
The Prairie Astronomy Club is dedicated to encouraging the study of Astronomy and related subjects for the benefit of its members and the general public. The club holds monthly meetings open to the general public on the last tuesday of each month, unless the date conflicts with a major holiday. The meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. at the Hyde Memorial Observatory located in Holmes Park in southeast Lincoln, Nebraska.

Can Planetary Alignments Cause Earthquakes?
Doomsayers predict that planetary alignments will cause earthquakes, floods or other planetary disasters. In reality, alignments have little effect on the Earth. Read more about it on the Bad Astronomy website.

PAC's Learn How to Use Your Telescope Seminar by Dave Churilla
In what has become an annual event, January’s PAC Meeting Program was entitled “Learn How to Use Your Telescope”.

Astronomy Seminar Class Report by Bob Leavitt
An enthusiastic group was on hand for the fall Astronomy Seminar, which took place November 8th at Hyde Observatory. Sixteen people attended the class, including four children.

Educating the Office by Dave Churilla
I work for the State of Nebraska at DAS-CF (which stands for Department of Administrative Services Central Finance). Over the past few years people here have become interested in my hobby of Astronomy.

Beginning Astronomy Class by Bob Leavitt
Twenty-three enthusiastic students signed up for PACs Beginning Astronomy Class, which was held in April 2006.

Astronomy Day Photos by Bob Leavitt
Astronomy Day 2006 was a success! Over 670 visitors came to Morrill Hall on May 6th to see the many astronomy and physics demonstrations. Here are some photos taken by Bob Leavitt, Jack Dunn, Lee Taylor, and Jim Atkins.

March Star Party by Bob Leavitt
Last night's star party turned out to be rather good.