Connecticut College will celebrate National Astronomy Day by offering the public binocular and telescopic views of the night sky on Friday, April 19, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Olin Observatory and the Olin Science Center.
The free event is open to astronomy enthusiasts of all ages. Highlights of the evening include talks by guest speakers, hands-on activities and views of the moon, Orion nebula and two planets — Jupiter and Saturn (weather permitting).
Guest speaker R.M. “Max” Maxwell, from Mystic Seaport, will give a talk titled “2013: The Year of the Comets?” A second guest speaker, Bruce Levine, also from Mystic Seaport, will present a program for kids, “Learning About the Phases of the Moon.” Planetarium shows on the spring and summer skies and constellations, as well as hands-on astronomy activities for the kids and computer demonstrations of astronomy software, will be ongoing throughout the evening.
“Attendants will have fun and, in the process, learn a bit about telescopes and the night sky. And they will have access to people knowledgeable in the subject of astronomy who can answer their questions,” said Leslie Brown, associate professor of physics and astronomy at the College.
This event, which is free and open to the public, is brought to you by volunteers from the College's astronomy department, the Thames Amateur Astronomical Society and the Treworgy Planetarium at Mystic Seaport. The event will continue regardless of clouds or rain, although stars and planets may not be visible in poor weather.
For more information, please contact Brown at 860-439-2345.