'Explorer's Guide' to solar system, lunar eclipse viewing featured
WCSU Planetarium and Observatory opens spring semester program
DANBURY, CONN. — A special viewing of a total lunar eclipse and a new “Explorer’s Guide” series of programs exploring the solar system from the searing heat of Venus to the frigid outer reaches of the Kuiper Belt will highlight the spring semester program at the observatories and planetarium of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.
A telescope observation of the next total eclipse of the moon will be featured during a public viewing from 8:30 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at the Science Building Observatory on the Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. The Science Building’s rooftop observation area is accessible from the main elevator at the third-floor level.
WestConn will introduce the stargazing public to the natural wonders of the solar system and beyond throughout the spring semester in a series of presentations at the Science Building and at the WCSU Planetarium and Observatory on the Westside campus, Lake Avenue Extension in Danbury. Admission is free and open to the public for all planetarium shows and telescope viewings; donations to support operations and maintenance of the WCSU Observatory and Planetarium will be accepted.
The eclipse event will open a series of Wednesday viewings at the Science Building Observatory during the spring semester. Evening sessions also will be offered from 8 to 10 p.m. on April 2 and from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. on April 30. The observatory will open for three daylight sessions providing an opportunity to use specially designed telescopes for safe viewing of solar prominences, sunspots and other features. “Safe Sun” observations will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on March 26, April 16 and May 14.
The WCSU Planetarium and Observatory on the Westside campus will present its spring semester program of 10 evening shows beginning with “An Explorer’s Guide to Venus” at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2. Additional presentations of the Venus planetarium show will be offered at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7, and at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23. Each show will be followed by a two-hour viewing period focusing on prominent winter sky features including Mars, the Pleiades star cluster and the Orion Nebula.
The Venus shows will kick off a continuing series of “Explorer’s Guide” shows followed by observatory sessions continuing through May 3. WCSU Observatory viewings provide the public with a professional astronomer’s perspective of the universe using the observatory’s 20-inch computer-controlled Ritchey-Chretien reflector telescope.
Future planetarium shows during the spring semester will include:
- “An Explorer’s Guide to Asteroids” at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, March 8, and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13.
- “An Explorer’s Guide to Saturn’s Moons” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, and Thursday, April 3.
- “An Explorer’s Guide to the Kuiper Belt” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, and Thursday, May 3.
The WCSU Observatory will close its spring semester schedule with a viewing-only session from 8 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, May 8.
Public viewings at the Westside and Midtown campus observatories will be subject to cancellation in the event of cloudy or inclement conditions. Planetarium shows will be held unless access roads become impassable due to snow or ice conditions.
A complete listing of planetarium shows and observatory viewings is available at www.wcsu.edu/starwatch. For more information, call the observatory at (203) 837-8672 or the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.
Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.
