KOKOMO, Ind. — A crescent moon and at least four planets will be visible at the first Indiana University Kokomo free Observatory open house of the school year.
Patrick Motl, associate professor of physics, will begin the open house at 8 p.m. Sunday, August 12, with an update on the planet Mars.
Immediately following the presentation, those attending will be able to view Mars, along with Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn, weather permitting, through the Observatory’s two telescopes. Observation will continue until 10 p.m., weather permitting.
The telescopes are 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.
Additional open houses are scheduled from 8 to 10 p.m. Sundays September 9, October 14, March 10, April 14, and May 19; as well as from 7 to 9 p.m. Sundays November 11, December 9, January 13, and February 10.
All are free and open to the public, at the Observatory, 2660 Washington Street. Free parking is available on campus.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.