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Astronomers Will Visit Bars To Help Drunk People Experience Rare 'Star Wink'
By
Lauren Evans
Published Mar 19, 2014
Modified Mar 19, 2014
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By
Lauren Evans
Published Mar 19, 2014
Modified Mar 19, 2014
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A troop of astronomers have their sights set on helping tipsy New Yorkers appreciate a rare space event expected to occur around 2 a.m. Thursday.
The city, not usually known for providing an excellent view of the heavens, will find itself in the direct path of a "star wink," in which an asteroid will pass in front of Regulus, one of the sky's brightest stars, causing a momentary blip of darkness.
The forecast calls for clouds, which is a bitch, but astronomers will still be on hand to listen to all your drunk recollections from your 100-level astronomy class. (Impress them by correctly identifying the difference between a redshift and a blueshift, or by screaming "SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTSSHOTSSHOTSSHOTS!" and taking your shirt off.)
Regardless of visibility, bar patrons (and anyone else who happens to be awake—you don't necessarily need to be drunk to appreciate science) can participate by downloading an app called "Occultation," which will help determine the shape of the asteroid based on its arrival and disappearance time.
Pairs of astronomers will be based at the following locations:
Ding Dong Lounge, located at 929 Columbus Avenue
Art Bar, located at 52 8th Avenue
The Way Station, located at 683 Washington Avenue in Prospect Heights
Pacific Standard, located at 82 4th Avenue in Boerum Hill
An event will also be held at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, but you'll have to pre-game beforehand, as the museum does not have the proper licensing to serve jello shots.
If you're hell bent on a quiet evening at home, you can still follow along online by following @AstronomyOnTap.
Tagged
astronomy
occultation
science
space
star wink
Lauren Evans
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