Wednesday, September 6, 2006

Writer:  Philip Lee Williams, 706/542-8501, phil@franklin.uga.edu
Contact: J. Scott Shaw, 706/542-2870, jss@hal.physast.uga.edu

UGA Observatory sets schedule for viewing the planets and stars in the coming months

Athens, Ga. – The 24-inch telescope at the University of Georgia (pictured below) will be open for public viewing once a month beginning September 14.

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.

Dates and times for the viewings are:

Thursday, Sept. 14, 9 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 19, 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 23, 8 p.m.
Thursday, April 12, 9:30 p.m.

For the most current information about observing or times, call the observatory message line at 706/542-STAR. Persons with special needs should call 706/542-2485 in advance.

For more information online, visit www.physast.uga.edu/~star/.

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