West Texas Science Center

10/15/2024

Just saw the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet. It's pretty easy to see in the west about 30 minutes after sunset. Find Venus (very bright) and them look to the right and slightly up. The long tail gives it away. Amazing that it won't be back this way for about 80,000 years. Here's a shout-out to my Neanderthal cousins who last saw it on Earth 80K years ago.

09/12/2024

Are you curious about the profound impact of artificial intelligence on education and human intelligence? Join us for a thought-provoking lecture that delves into the latest advancements in AI and its potential to revolutionize learning and cognition. Discover how AI is being used to personalize instruction, enhance problem-solving skills, and foster creativity. Explore the ethical implications and challenges associated with AI in education, and gain insights into the future of human-AI collaboration. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the cutting edge of AI and its implications for our world.

WTSC Lecture Series: AI, Human Intelligence, and Education
September 19, 2024 at Hardin-Simmons University. Details are here:

02/01/2024

NEXT WEEK: The West Texas Science Center (WTSC) and Friends of Lake Kirby (FoLK) will meet on Thursday, February 8th, 2024 at 6:30 pm at the Abilene Library South (Mall of Abilene). Join us for a discussion about how WTSC can enhance scientific awareness and appreciation in the Abilene community, including our work at Lake Kirby. We will discuss upcoming events and would love to have your ideas and input. Please join us!

11/17/2023

The Leonid Meteor shower will peak tonight. From EarthSky: Leonids stream from a single point in the sky – their radiant point – in the constellation Leo the Lion. Leo rises around midnight in mid-November. Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, dots a backward question mark of stars known as the Sickle. The current overcast skies here in Abilene may put a damper on seeing tonight's Leonid peak. Let's hope for some clearing!

11/01/2023

Walk, hike, & bike into the future of Abilene.

Vote YES to support the Lake Kirby Trail in the November election.

The Lake Kirby Trail is the second of three phases in the Master Plan. It will eventually connect to the new Cedar Creek Trail.

Political Ad Paid By West Texas Science Center

10/28/2023

The Lake Kirby clean up is happening this morning.

10/14/2023

I experienced today’s annular solar eclipse at Lake Kirby Nature Park. The best part of the experience was photographing the leaf ringlets cast on the ground during the maximum amount of sun coverage by the moon about 11:48 AM. Each leaf from the American Elm tree that I was standing under cast a small version of the sun on the pavement. I was the only person in the boardwalk area so only I got to see this brief display of Kirby annular eclipse art!

10/13/2023

Anticipation builds for tomorrow's annular "ring of fire" eclipse! That's Friday Oct. 14th! For us here in the Abilene area this will be a partial eclipse (but still impressive!) and will start at 10:20 am with the maxium at 11:48 am. The eclipse will end in Abilene at 1:25 pm. You MUST have special eclipse glasses to safely view the event without harming your eyes. DO NOT look directly into the sun during this eclipse! The Abilene Public Library – South Branch will host activities such as storytelling, crafting, and teaching facts to children. Additionally, Abilene State Park will open its doors for folks to enjoy the natural event among nature. All library branches will be giving out eclipse glasses leading up to the event. Regular sunglasses will not work. And yours truly, DoctorBot, will be at Kirby Lake in the main pavillion area to watch the show!

04/23/2023

Happy Earth Day morning from Lake Kirby Nature Park! Should be a great day for a visit to the park to see the wildflowers and enjoy a walk. The south section of the hiking trail lies beneath the trees in the second photo.

02/27/2023

02/06/2022

Abilene Christian University Graduate Scott Acton Helps to Expand Our View of the Universe Article by Rick Hammer — February 6, 2022 “You mean to tell me there is a job out there where you get to do this kind of stuff all day long and get paid for it?”, said Dr. Scott Acton, referring to a ser...