Astronomer Brings Stars To Hollywild

Event has been postponed to February 13th due to the weather. Reservations can be made through Thursday, February 11th.

Hollywild Animal Park has its share of stars – animal stars who have been showcased in dozens of Hollywood movies and advertising campaigns, but Hollywild Stars Astronomy Night brings stars overhead into focus. Astronomer Rick Boozer of Greer, SC, who has studied the stars from telescopes across the world, will bring them closer to home as part of the Hollywild Stars Astronomy Night program at Hollywild Animal Park, scheduled for 7 PM to 10 PM on Saturday, February 6, 2010. Admission is $10 per person with 45 minute presentations being offered at 7 PM, 8 PM., and 9 PM.

Boozer, 58, retired from a 30 year successful career in software engineering to pursue his lifelong passion of astronomy. He recently completed his masters degree in astrophysics from James Cook University. Boozer regularly studies the night skies of the Southern Hemisphere from his home in Greer through a specialized link to a major telescope located in Western Australia and the Northern Hemisphere skies through a similar link to a telescope in New Mexico. His 45-minute presentation offers magnificent images captured live from both sites.

“I’ve been able to capture some spectacular images, such as the “Firefly Party Cluster,” which many astronomers have never seen. “The group of stars, closed in a thin layer of gas looks like fireflies,” he explained. “It still blows my mind that I’ve been able to see such and look forward to sharing these amazing images with the people coming out to Hollywild.”

Boozer has shared his presentation with other astronomers at conferences in the Southeastern U.S.

For an additional $5, visitors can take a bus through the park’s safari area to a “Star Search” telescope station where they will view the planet Mars, the Great Orion Nebula, and other wonders of the night sky.” Jessie Willard and Joey Poole, members of the Foothills Astronomical Society Club, affiliated with FENCE Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, located in Tryon, N.C. along with Lee Pettyjohn, a member of the Greenville Astronomy Club, affiliated with Roper Mountain Science Center will lead the “Star Search.” After viewing the stars visitors can create a take-home craft to commemorate their adventure and enjoy hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows over a bonfire.

The program is designed for adults and children in 5th – 12th grade. Pre-registration by phone is required by Thursday, January 28th. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held February 13th. Pre-register by calling the Hollywild Park office at (864) 472-2038.

“We’re very excited to be offering this special event at Hollywild. It gives us another way to reach out to the community with a fun educational event,” said Linda M. Poole, Scouting and homeschool program director. ****

Mr. Boozer has agreed to direct interviews and can be reached via email at topastro@singularsci.com or by phone at (864) 270-5428.