See Moon, Jupiter, Uranus at Behlen Observatory's Oct. 10 public night
Provided the sky is clear, visitors will be able to view a variety of objects with the 30-inch telescope and with smaller telescopes set up outside the observatory. These include the Moon, the planets Jupiter, Venus (at the beginning of the evening) and Uranus, two kinds of star clusters, double or multiple stars, and the Ring Nebula in Lyra.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Lincoln, Neb., September 30th, 2008 — The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Behlen Observatory near Mead will be open to the public 7:30-10 p.m. Oct. 10.
Provided the sky is clear, visitors will be able to view a variety of objects with the 30-inch telescope and with smaller telescopes set up outside the observatory. These include the Moon, the planets Jupiter, Venus ( at the beginning of the evening ) and Uranus, two kinds of star clusters, double or multiple stars, and the Ring Nebula in Lyra.
Undergraduate students from the UNL Science and Education Partnerships in Public Outreach project will present an illustrated talk titled "Infrared Astronomy." Infrared radiation, a form of light that is too "red" to be seen by the human eye, allows astronomers to study objects which are hidden by thick clouds of interstellar dust and cool objects that do not radiate ordinary light. The presentation will include a live demonstration of infrared radiation using a special camera. The talk begins at 8 p.m.
There is no admission charge for the public night. Further information can be found on the observatory Web site at http://astro.unl.edu/observatory or by calling UNL astronomer Edward Schmidt at ( 402 ) 472-2788. Behlen Observatory is operated by the UNL Department of Physics and Astronomy. Directions to Behlen Observatory ( maps are available at the Web site ):
FROM LINCOLN: Take U.S. 77 north from Lincoln. Six miles past Ceresco, turn east on Nebraska 66 ( formerly 63 ) and go eight miles to the Mead road. Turn left and go one mile north to Avenue H. At this corner, there are large brown signs on both sides of the road listing various locations of the field lab. Turn right on Avenue H and continue east two miles to Eighth Street. Turn left on Eighth Street and follow it north 0.6 miles to the observatory, which will be seen on the left.
FROM OMAHA: Take Nebraska 92 west to Mead. At Mead, turn south on Nebraska Spur 78F and follow it for about five miles to Avenue H. At this corner, there are large brown signs on both sides of the road listing various locations of the field lab. Turn left on Avenue H and continue east two miles to Eighth Street. Turn left on Eighth Street and follow it north 0.6 miles to the observatory, which can be seen on the left.
Contacts: Edward Schmidt, Professor, Physics & Astronomy, phone: ( 402 )472-2788
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