Join us for the STEAM Café this month! January’s STEAM talk, “Dark Sky Magic: 70 Years of the Night Sky Above the Black Hills”, will be presented by Black Hills Astronomical Society member Hank Fridell.

For nearly 70 years, the Black Hills Astronomical Society (BHAS) has introduced thousands of area residents to the wonders of the night sky at the Hidden Valley Observatory just outside of Rapid City. Hank Fridell, BHAS member, will present a series of astronomy photos taken in the Black Hills and discuss how observing the night sky has changed over the years, and with it, our understanding of the universe. Attendees of this presentation will also discover how to obtain a free copy of the book chronicling the history of the BHAS, which was written during the pandemic by Fridell; Ron Dyvig, director of the Badlands Observatory in Quinn, SD; and Richard Walker, director of the Hidden Valley Observatory.

What’s the STEAM Café?

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Hay Camp Brewing Company, and South Dakota Public Broadcasting have teamed up to create STEAM Café, which will be held at 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Hay Camp. Join us for drinks and enjoy a talk by a member of the Mines family. Collaborative programs, cutting edge research and historical perspectives on everything from gothic literature to the impact of motherhood are just a few cool things that you’ll learn about at these fun gatherings. The STEAM Café is a place to share new ideas, forge new friendships and grow as a community.