UW-River Falls Hosts Public Astronomy Talks and Observatory Viewings

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Physics Department begins its spring season of free, public observatory viewings and astronomy discussions on Feb. 15. Objects to be seen include planets, globular clusters, open clusters, nebulae, galaxies, moons, and double stars.

The first stargazing (waning crescent moon) session includes Professor Eileen Korenic presenting “GRACE, GOCE, and GRAIL: Mapping Gravity” at 7 p.m. in Room 271, Centennial Science Hall. The discussion precedes the 7:30 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.

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 observing 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.

Other viewings this semester include:

March 28, 8 p.m., "When Computers Were Female: Women in Astronomy" presented by Rellen Hardtke in Room 271 Centennial Science Hall and then at 8:30 p.m. telescope viewing (waxing rescent moon) on the third floor observatory deck.

April 24, 8:30 p.m., “Star-crossed: Astronomy and Shakespeare” by Eileen Korenic in Room 271 Centennial Science Hall and then at 9 p.m. telescope viewing (waxing crescent moon) on the third floor observatory deck.

For more information about the observatory, email glenn.spiczack@uwrf.edu or about pre-observatory talks, email eileen.korenic@uwrf.edu