Looking up at the night sky with all its stars is a time-honored summer tradition. But in the city, and an increasing amount of other locations, few stars can be seen. So where can one go to stargaze?
While an escape to the light pollution-free countryside always does the trick; you can actually see stars, and take a really close look too, without even leaving campus, by attending an Observatory Open House.
Students from the Department of Physics and Astronomy run this monthly sky viewing program, which takes place one Saturday night each month except during the coldest winter months. Astronomy assistant professor Erika Gibb is the faculty advisor.
Dr. Gibbs studies astrobiology, a multi-disciplinary field that brings together scientists in biology, geology, astronomy, physics and chemistry to take a big-picture look at the origins of life in the cosmos. One unique area Gibbs has lectured on is the study of comets and their potential role in the origin of life.
Typically, the Observatory Open House does not include a chance to see comets, although they are included when they happen to be visible.
Last year, UM-St. Louis' Richard D. Schwartz Observatory was moved from its long-time location on South Campus. It is now located near the Fine Arts Building and the softball field, on Rosedale Drive and across Florissant Road from the North Campus. The Observatory's website, http://www.umsl.edu/~physics/astro/, has directions.
The most recent Open House was held Saturday, June 27. The next Astronomy Open House is set for Saturday, August 1 at 9 p.m. The planets Saturn and Jupiter will be on view, along with the Hercules Cluster, Ring Nebula and the double star Alberio. The following Open House, on Saturday, August 29, at 8:30 p.m., features the same celestial objects, except for Saturn.
Observatory viewings always include viewing of the moon, and expert information from the astronomy students. Often other celestial phenomena can be viewed as well.
The Observatory houses two main telescopes; a fourteen inch Celestron telescope and an SBIG St-8 CCD. Sometimes additional telescopes are set up.
Since a clear night sky is still a must, the Open House is occasionally canceled due to clouds. Usually the viewing is re-scheduled for the next night. A call to the Astronomy Open House hotline can clear up schedule questions.
For details on what's on view, updates on weather cancellations and other information, visit the Observatory website at http://www.umsl.edu/~physics/astro/ or call their Hotline at (314) 516-5706.
After a visit to an Astronomy Open House, summer stargazing can take on whole new meaning.
Cate Marquis is A&E Editor and a science columnist for The Current.
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