UW-River Falls hosts public astronomy talks and observatory viewings

The UW-River Falls Physics Department begins its spring season of free, public observatory viewings and astronomy talks on Feb. 12. Objects to be seen in the telescopes include planets, globular clusters, open clusters, nebulae, galaxies, moons and double stars.
The first stargazing (waxing crescent moon) session at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12, in  Room 271 at Centennial Science Hall will include physics professor Eileen Korenic presenting “The Comets Are Coming!” The discussion precedes the 8:30 p.m. telescope viewing on the third floor observation deck.

All observatory viewings are dependent on a clear sky. Please call 715-425-3560 after 6 p.m. or visit www.uwrf.edu/PHYS/Schedule.cfm and click on “observatory” to verify that the sky is clear enough for viewing. The talk will go on as scheduled regardless of the weather.

A physics department faculty member and/or student will staff each telescope and be available to answer questions at each open telescope session. Observers are encouraged to stay and look at as many elements as possible and feel free to request personal observing targets.

Since the dome is unheated and the observation deck is outside open to the elements, visitors are advised to dress appropriately for the weather. The viewings and talks are suitable for all ages.

Email glenn.spiczack@uwrf.edu for more information about the observatory or eileen.korenic@uwrf.edu for more information about the astronomy talks.