News Release

Explore the Skies at Homestead National Monument of America

News Release Date: April 22, 2019

Contact: Susan Cook, 402-223-3514

Homestead National Monument of America is excited to host John and Brenda Nejedlo of GeoAstroRV as monument volunteers from April 30-May 28, 2019. John and Brenda are travelling the country in their RV and volunteering their astronomy knowledge at national park sites across the Midwest. GeoAstroRV will give both daytime and nighttime astronomy programs every day, weather permitting, during their stay at Homestead National Monument of America.

GeoAstroRV’s daytime program is a NASA-approved “Our Magnetic Sun” presentation in which visitors are able to use a 152mm Lunt Hydrogen Alpha telescope that is double stacked, along with a TeleVue NP101 with a Baader Herschel Prism. Daytime presentations last about 30 minutes and will run from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Nighttime programs allow you to be more involved as John and Brenda will teach visitors how to use their various telescopes and allow time to explore the night sky with them. Nighttime programs last 2 to 3 hours and include a laser presentation on constellations. Nighttime presentations are limited to 12 people and attendees must be middle school age and above. To reserve your spot for the nighttime program call Homestead National Monument of America at [phone] or stop in and speak to a ranger.

While programs are scheduled for everyday April 30 through May 28, they are subject to weather and visibility. Decisions on whether a program will be held or not will be made 24 hours in advance based on the visibility readings from cleardarksky.com. You can call Homestead National Monument of America at [phone] for program updates.

“Homestead National Monument of America is excited be able to host the Nejedlos who are sharing their expertise in astronomy with National Park visitors across the country. We are privileged that they will spend a whole month exploring the skies with Homestead visitors,” said Superintendent Mark Engler.

You can visit their website at geoastrorv.com to learn more and follow their journey.

Remember, Homestead National Monument of America has an exciting schedule of events planned for 2019. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Twitter (HomesteadNM) and Facebook (HomesteadNM).

Homestead National Monument of America is a unit of the National Park Service located four miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska and 45 miles south of Lincoln. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free of charge. For additional information, please call 402-223-3514 or visit http://www.nps.gov/home/.

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