FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 5, 2010

Amateur Astronomers Celebrate the Return of Saturn’s Rings
at Trailside Nature & Science Center, March 20

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Amateur Astronomers, Inc. and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invite you to spend a Saturday night with Saturn on March 20 from 8 – 10 p.m. at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside.

“Trailside is the place to be on March 20 for everyone interested in astronomy,” said Freeholder Vice Chairwoman Deborah Scanlon, liaison to the Union County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “Admission is free and telescopes will be available for viewing close-up images of Saturn’s rings.”

The tilt of Saturn’s rings makes them “appear” and “disappear” every 14 years. The rings are back and – with the aid of Amateur Astronomers members’ telescopes – you can celebrate their return and explore the night sky.

The Saturday night with Saturn event begins at 8:00 p.m. – “snow or shine” – at the Trailside Visitors Center, where you can hear free lectures about Saturn and learn all the latest information about the sixth planet from the Sun. There’s plenty of free parking and there will be door prizes for the audience.

For more information about the Amateur Astronomers, Inc., please visit www.asterism.org.

Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, New Jersey 07092, and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For more information about programs and special events at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670, or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/trailside.