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Mars To Star at WCSU Observatory |
DANBURY, Conn., Sept. 29 -- Mars will become the star attraction at the Western Connecticut State University Observatory and Planetarium in a series of shows and observations offering sky watchers a close encounter with the red planet during October and November.
Astronomy Professor Dennis Dawson, director of the WCSU Observatory and Planetarium, said Mars will receive top billing this autumn as it makes its nearest approach to Earth in more than two years. The minimum distance of 43 million miles that will be reached on Oct. 29 still will place the planet roughly 9 million miles farther from Earth than in 2003 — its closest approach in 60,000 years — but Dawson noted Mars' higher position in the autumnal sky will offer better viewing conditions this year.
"The next time you're going to see Mars this close in the sky is in the year 2020," Dawson said. "That's a good reason to come out and look at it now."
The Mars programs are part of a busy schedule of public nights for sky viewings during the 2005-06 academic year at WCSU Observatory and Planetarium on the university's Westside campus, Lake Avenue Extension in Danbury.
The planetarium will present "Mysteries of Mars" in hourlong shows starting at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8; at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, Thursday, Oct. 20, Saturday, Oct. 22, and Saturday, Oct. 29; and at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5.
The fall schedule also will feature "Exploring the Autumn Sky" shows starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6; at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, and Thursday, Oct. 27; and at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 12.
All shows will be followed by viewings of Mars and other celestial highlights with the observatory's 20-inch computer-controlled Ritchey-Chretien reflector telescope.
Three planetarium shows in winter 2006 will explore "Spectacular Saturn" at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, Thursday, Feb. 2, and Saturday, Feb. 11, followed by observatory viewings of the ringed planet. Saturn's movement into opposition with Earth will enhance its brightness and allow evening viewing during the winter months. Dawson said the planetarium show will feature photographs of Saturn from the current Cassini mission, as well as images taken during the descent of the Huygens Probe to the surface of Saturn's moon Titan.
The planetarium also will offer continuing presentations introducing the brightest planets, stars and constellations visible in each season. "Jewels of the Winter Sky" will be presented at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, Thursday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 13. The schedule for winter and spring 2006 will feature one public night each week on alternating Thursdays and Saturdays from Jan. 28 to May 20.
A complete listing of planetarium shows and observatory viewings for the current season is available at www.wcsu.edu/starwatch.
Planetarium shows will be held as scheduled regardless of weather conditions unless poor conditions force closure of the observatory road. Telescope viewings are subject to cancellation in the event of cloud cover and inclement weather. Admission is free for all events. Donations to support operations and maintenance of the planetarium and observatory will be accepted.
For more information, call the observatory at (203) 837-8672 or the Office of Public Relations at (203) 837-8486.-xxx- |
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