Group part of NASA’s Night Sky Net

Spokane area educators, students and astronomy buffs have new ways to learn about the night sky.

The Spokane Astronomical Society has been selected by NASA to be a member of its Night Sky Network, a nationwide coalition of amateur astronomy societies with outreach programs in their communities.

The astronomical society is willing to share its new resources with schools or community groups. The society also can provide independent access to the NASA program through its Web password to the Night Sky Network.

Mary Singer, spokeswoman for the astronomical society, said her organization spent six months seeking acceptance to the program. “It’s been a tremendous resource we’ve used at meetings and public events,” she said.

One of those events was a “star party” in February, which drew 200 people to West Valley High School.

The Spokane organization has obtained several NASA outreach kits entitled “Our Galaxy, Our Universe” and “Planet Quest.” The planet quest involves the ongoing astronomical search for Earth-like planets circling other stars.

In a news release, one NASA official said that by working with amateur astronomy groups NASA can expand the public’s understanding of astronomy and space.

Information about the Night Sky Network can be found on the Web at nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov, or on the Spokane Astronomical Society Web site at www.spokaneastronomical.org.

Also, Debbie Cotton of the astronomical society can be contacted at 458-7632. The astronomical society meets on the first Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Spokane Falls Community College in Building 14.