Andreas Observatory will be open to the public on three Friday evenings this fall, starting Friday, Sept. 25.
The observatory will be open from 8:30-10:30 p.m., Sept. 25, Oct. 16, and Nov. 20. A December open house has yet to be scheduled. Jupiter and its four bright satellites will be the featured viewing subjects on Sept. 25. Neptune and a variety of star clusters and nebulae also will be visible.
There is no charge for visitors to view celestial objects, but the observatory will be open only if the sky is clear that night. Those who have questions about the weather may call Andreas Observatory at (507) 389-2691 the nights of the open houses, or may go to http://cset.mnsu.edu/pa/observing/ for more information.
Andreas Observatory is on the south edge of campus. Visitors should drive to Gage Towers and park at the south end of Gage Lot 1. They then should walk down the gravel road into the trees, past the ROTC tower on the left and the ropes course and Standeford Observatory on the right, until the road ends at Andreas Observatory.
Visitors should stay on the road, because construction makes the adjacent fields potentially hazardous. Visitors are urged to dress warmly, because the building is not heated. They may bring flashlights if they wish.
Andreas Observatory’s open houses complement the open houses at Standeford Observatory (next door to Andreas), which happen most clear Thursday nights throughout the semester. Andreas Observatory also offers tours during the day or night for school groups, Scouts or groups of neighbors.
Those who have questions about Andreas Observatory events may call the Department of Physics & Astronomy at (507) 389-5743, or may contact Steve Kipp at (507) 389-5912.
Email this article | Permanent link | Topstories news | Topstories news archives
Minnesota State
University, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
1-800-722-0544
© 2005-2013 Minnesota State University, Mankato. Minnesota State University, Mankato is a member of
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and an affirmative action/equal opportunity university.
