The Planet Walk at Kloofendal Nature Reserve was unveiled on 9 November, in a collaborative effort between City Parks, the West Rand Astronomy Club and the Roodepoort Rotary Club.
Primary school pupils were treated to a guided tour of our solar system at Kloofendal’s Amphitheatre. Planets are mounted on granite rocks, each stone bearing an engraved plaque describing size, distance from the sun, and other interesting facts. An astronomer was on hand at every planet to answer questions. Pupils enjoyed lunch packs, face painting and jumping castles.
Dozens of people attended the official unveiling, which was held after the school pupils’ exciting outing. City Parks reserve manager Bishop Ngobeli and Anneas Balt from the Roodepoort Rotary Club cut the ribbon to officially open Planet Walk.
Just before dusk pupils were able to gaze at sun spots through the club’s telescopes. Sun spots occur when intense magnetic activity is observed on the photosphere of the sun.
To conclude the day’s events, Friends of Kloofendal gave an interesting Spider Night Walk in the reserve, where spiders, insects and all sorts of night-crawlers were investigated.
