July 11, 2001
Troy, N.Y. — Free, public viewing of the night sky has
resumed at the Hirsch Observatory at Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute, and will continue every Wednesday through the end of
August.
When the sky is clear and weather permits, the observatory,
equipped with a 16-inch telescope, will remain open for three
hours beginning at sunset. The observatory is located atop the
Jonsson-Rowland Science Center on the Rensselaer campus.
In September and October, the public viewing will move to the
same hours on Friday evenings.
Following its closest approach to Earth in June, Mars will
remain large and easily observed. The annual return of the
Perseid meteor shower occurs in August, and its peak will occur
on the morning of August 12. Also visible this summer will be
the International Space Station and the usual cast of planetary
nebulae, globular clusters, and binary star systems.
Amateur astronomers and physics department graduate students
will provide star charts and help identify constellations and
other heavenly bodies.
On Friday, Aug. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m., and again on Saturday,
Nov. 3, from noon to 3 p.m., the observatory will also offer
free solar viewing. By fitting the telescope with special
filters, viewers will get a unique, up-close look at the
sun.
Contact: Nicolle Zellner, Rensselaer Star Lab, at (518)
276-6763.
Contact: Patrick Kurp
Phone: (518) 276-6531
E-mail: N/A