Patrick Motl, associate professor of physics, will discuss recent astronomy news, starting at 8 p.m., and also will share information about a contact binary star that is on track to merge into a single star in the next five years.
“At a distance of only about 1,800 light years away, we may be able to view this merger in unprecedented detail,” he said.
After the talk, those attending may view the stars and planets through the Observatory’s two telescopes, a six-inch Takahashi refracting telescope and a 16-inch Meade reflecting telescope mounted together. The Takahashi provides exceptionally sharp images of planets, while the Meade allows viewers to see fainter objects in the sky, due to its larger light collecting area.
Weather permitting, viewing will continue until 10 p.m.
The open house is free and open to the public in the Observatory, 105 E. Rebecca Lane. Free parking is available on campus.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.