Society & Culture

University of Georgia Observatory sets schedule for viewing the planets and stars

University of Georgia Observatory sets schedule for viewing the planets and stars in the coming months

Athens, Ga. – The 24-inch telescope at the University of Georgia will be open for public viewing once a month beginning Thursday, Sept. 13, from 9 to 11 p.m. If it is cloudy, there will be a talk titled “Pluto’s New Family: TheKuiper Belt Objects.”

The observatory is on top of the physics building on UGA’s South Campus and has been having public nights for a number of years since the telescope was rebuilt in the 1990s. If the nights are clear, those attending will be able to look through the telescope at the stars. If it’s cloudy, there will be a brief talk on astronomy that is of current interest.

The public viewings for this year are:

* Thursday, Oct. 18, 8-10 p.m.
* Thursday, Nov. 8, 7-9 p.m.
* Friday, Dec. 14, 7-9 p.m
* Friday, Jan. 11,7-9 p.m.
* Friday, Feb. 8,7:30-9:30 p.m.
* Friday , March 7, 8-10 p.m.
* Thursday, April 3, 9-11 p.m.

For the most current information about observing or times, e-mail star@physast.uga.edu.