The community is invited to the Missouri S&T Observatory this spring, where the S&T Astronomical Research Society will host viewings every other Friday.
The planned viewing events include the following (weather permitting):
- March 24, 12:15-2 p.m., the sun. The observatory will open during the day to view features like sunspots on the sun’s surface.
- April 7, 8:30-11:30 p.m., Venus. This planet goes through phases like the Earth’s moon, and will be 75% illuminated on this date.
- April 21, 9 p.m.-midnight, the Cigar Galaxy and Bode’s Galaxy. These galaxies are affected by each other’s gravitational pull.
- May 5th, 9 p.m.-midnight, the full moon.
These viewing times are free and open to the public with no reservations or tickets required. Children are welcome at the observatory but must be accompanied by an adult. Visitors must be able to climb a small set of stairs to use the telescope for viewing.
The Missouri S&T Observatory is located at 1550 N. Bishop Ave. (Highway 63 North), near the university’s Stonehenge replica, north of McNutt Hall and west of St. Patrick’s Lane.
For up-to-date information on viewings and schedule changes, please visit the S&T Astronomical Research Society’s Facebook page.
