Star parties are popular venues for presenting Night Sky Network activities. (Photo courtesy of Amy Bradley)

The PlanetQuest ToolKit was just what I need to give my presentations more appeal. -- Mike E. Smith, Evansville Astronomical Society, Indiana

(PLANETQUEST) -- Members of NASA's Night Sky Network have shared the wonders of the universe with more than 100,000 people across the United States since the organization was founded just over a year ago, the Astronomy Society of the Pacific reported this week.

The coalition consists of more than 200 amateur astronomy clubs in all 50 states and Puerto Rico that share a passion for engaging people in the hobby and science of astronomy. Requirements for membership include conducting at least five public outreach events per year and reporting attendance figures to NASA.

Each member club receives a series of hands-on demonstration and activity kits on various astronomy topics. The first kit, called the "PlanetQuest ToolKit," was developed by NASA and the Astronomy Society of the Pacific to explain the basics of planet-finding.

"The discovery of more than 140 extrasolar planets in recent years has elevated public interest in astronomy, so a planet-finding kit seemed like a natural choice for us to start with," said Marni Berendsen, education project coordinator for the Astronomy Society of the Pacific. "Since then, we've followed it with additional educational kits, including the Black Hole Survival ToolKit and an upcoming kit on telescope basics."

Sponsors of the kits include NASA's Navigator Program, the Structure and Evolution of the Universe Education Forum, the Origins Education Forum, and the Solar System Education Forum.

"We see the ToolKits as a way for NASA to support the amateur astronomy community in their ongoing commitment to educate and inspire students and the public," said Michael Greene, manager of NASA's PlanetQuest education and outreach program. "The activites are designed to be simple, fun and accessible, with plenty of 'wow' factor built in."

The kits have been used in venues as diverse as Girl Scout gatherings, evening star parties, and even onboard a U.S. naval aircraft carrier in San Diego.

The kit contains simple activities that demonstrate basic astronomy concepts.

Neta F. Apple, a member of the Astronomy Club of Oklahoma, reported that the PlanetQuest kit inspired a day camp around the quest to find and explore an extrasolar planet. "The kids took to all this with great zeal and really enjoyed themselves," Apple said.

One of the most popular activities in the kit enables participants to locate stars that are circled by planets in the night sky by using a telescope, a pair of binoculars, or in some cases, the naked eye.

The Mount Diablo Astronomical Society located in Walnut Creek, California, recently used the activity at a star party attended by local high school students. "The students were fascinated with the idea of planets around other stars and how we are currently finding them," Richard Ozer reported.

For many clubs, membership in the Night Sky Network aligns with their existing mission of improving public awareness of astronomy. It also gives them new tools to reach new audiences - especially young people. "Even 'super cool' high school kids will pay attention to this stuff," reported the New Jersey Astronomical Association.

For more information about the Night Sky Network, visit http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov. For more information about NASA's search for new worlds, visit http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov.

	The kit has been used in some unconventional venues, including overnight weekend programs conducted aboard the U.S.S. Midway in San Diego Harbor. (Photo courtesy Jose Magsaysay)