Western Connecticut State University will host evening shows and viewings of planetary and stellar objects during public nights from Sept. 21 through Dec. 7 at the WCSU Planetarium and Observatory on the university’s Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury.
The six Saturday evening presentations will include a one-hour planetarium show followed by telescope viewing of prominent features in the night sky including the moon, Jupiter, Saturn and prominent star systems, clusters and nebulae visible during the autumn months. The WCSU Observatory, located atop a hill near Pinney Hall, offers viewings through a 20-inch, computer-controlled Ritchey-Chretien reflector telescope.
Admission is free and the public is invited. Limited parking is provided adjacent to the observatory, with more extensive parking available on University Boulevard. Planetarium shows are appropriate for adults and older children, and will be canceled only in the event of hazardous road conditions or severe weather that would pose a safety risk. The viewing period will not be offered during public nights when cloud cover prevents sky observations. For updates to confirm plans for a scheduled public night, call (203) 837-8672 on the day of the event.
Following is the schedule of WCSU Planetarium and Observatory public nights, with the most prominent visible objects listed in the order of their celestial appearance during the viewing period for the evening:
Sept. 21: The planetarium show will start at 7 p.m., with sky observation following from 8 to 10 p.m. Visible objects will include Jupiter, Saturn, the Messier 11 star cluster, the Epsilon Lyrae star system, the double star Albireo and the Ring Nebula.
Oct. 5: The planetarium show will start at 6 p.m., with sky observation following from 7 to 9 p.m. Visible objects will include the first quarter moon, Saturn, the M31 galaxy, the Gamma Andromedae star system and the Double Cluster in Perseus.
Oct. 19: The planetarium show will start at 6 p.m., with sky observation following from 7 to 9 p.m. Visible objects will include M31, Gamma Andromedae, the Double Cluster and Neptune.
Nov. 9: The planetarium show will start at 5 p.m., with sky observation following from 6 to 8 p.m. Visible objects will include the waxing gibbous moon, the Cassiopeia star clusters, M31, Neptune, Uranus and the Pleiades star cluster.
Nov. 23: The planetarium show will start at 5 p.m., with sky observation following from 6 to 8 p.m. Visible objects will include M31, the Cassiopeia clusters, the Double Cluster, Neptune, Uranus and the Pleiades cluster.
Dec. 7: The planetarium show will start at 5 p.m., with sky observation following from 6 to 8 p.m. Visible objects will include the waxing gibbous moon, Neptune, Uranus and the Pleiades cluster.
For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.