Local Love: Observatory & Zoo

This week, Josh took a day off work to come with us on a field trip to Vanderbilt University's Dyer Observatory.  They were having an open house and we had friends going. 

ANDdddd, we just so happen to have recently been studying stars, constellations, phases of the moon, and how the sun affects seasons and such as well as how the skies were so useful to Columbus while navigating his ships on the open sea.  It was a perfect local trip situated high on a hill back around and aways in a beautiful Brentwood residential area.

Model of our nearest stars.

 

The telescope was positioned on a specific star. It was neat to be able to see it in the daylight.You could even see the clouds floating across our view beyond.

Discussing galaxies and star counts and what happens when stars are born and when they die.

1/4 size model of Hubbell Telescope.

Checking out the library and their collection of actual meteorite pieces.

Scoping out the sun ... literally!  Then they gave us glasses that allowed us to look at the sun directly.  My favorite part.  It was fascinating!

 

Checking out radio activity in space.

Sundial talk to tell time.  Further in the tour they also had a Stonehendge sort of set up that uses the sun to tell the months/solstices.

Star Chamber ... where I flirted with a panic attack once we all piled inside and shut the door. :S  It wasn't so much the darkness, or compactness, or even the cramped quarters inside as much as it was the lack of airflow.  Did not see that coming.  Could not get out fast enough!

After this, since we were already in Nashville and had a whole Josh day at our disposal, we availed ourselves of a zoo run before going home.  This was a great idea ... except for how dang hot it was by the afternoon.  We only hit up a few highlights and a few slushie refills before calling it quits and getting back in some A/C quick before we all melted.  No October should see days that hit the 90s!!

 

It was fun, however, to let Lasa explore more than she has before.  The last several times we been to the zoo, she has not been a walker. It's a whole new ballgame now.  I see a toddler leash/harness in our future - which will be a new experience for Josh and me in itself!  It never came to that with Noah and Anna. 

 

It was especially neat to see our zoo's new exhibit - sloths.  For a generally ugly animal, we sure cooed over them and how adorable they were.  See the baby there hanging on to momma?  And they are right there within reach almost in an open exhibit.  So cool.

With two educational stops in one day, we counted this a day and a half of school. :}  Love the homeschool life and {especially} love it when Josh is able to join us on these adventures!