WSU Invites Community to Star Party
OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University’s Ott Planetarium is hosting a series of star parties throughout spring semester to help people learn about the night sky. The first will be held Jan. 13 from 7-9 p.m. at the observatory on the fourth floor of Tracy Hall Science Center. People of all ages are encouraged to attend the free star party.
“We want to share with the community our love of astronomy and the experience of gazing at deep-space objects,” said John Armstrong, physics professor. “Dark skies belong to all of us, and we should all know what is up there. We want to help people learn a little about what they can see and encourage them to keep looking up.”
Held after dark, the events give attendees an opportunity to view different astronomical objects, such as planets and galaxies, through nine telescopes provided by WSU’s physics department.
Planetarium staff will be on hand to answer questions, and small children can use stepladders provided to reach the telescopes. The event is outside, so attendees should dress accordingly.
“Astronomy is one of the few sciences where the laboratory is in everyone’s backyard, and we want to help people take advantage of our close proximity to areas with very dark skies.” Armstrong said. “The large observation deck at the science center allows community members to use some fantastic telescopes in a comfortable environment.”
The opening of Tracy Hall Science Center and its observation deck in 2016 gave the physics department and the planetarium a place to host stargazing events and make the telescopes more accessible to the public.
The planetarium hosts the star parties throughout the spring and fall semesters. The seven events planned for the spring are scheduled as follows.
Calendar of Events
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Jan. 13, 7-9 p.m.
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Jan. 31, 7-9 p.m.
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Feb. 10, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
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Feb. 28, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
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Mar. 16, 8-10 p.m.
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April 3, 8:30-10:30 p.m.
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April 13, 8:30-10:30 p.m.
The Ott Planetarium in Lind Lecture Hall is currently closed for renovations through the spring and summer, but the science center observation deck will remain open and available for events. For more information, visit weber.edu/ottplanetarium
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Shaylee Stevens, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • shayleestevens@weber.edu- Contact:
John Armstrong, physics professor
801-626-6215 • jcarmstrong@weber.edu