DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University’s Westside observatory will host free, public planetarium shows and viewing parties on multiple Saturday evenings during spring 2016. The observatory is on the university’s Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave.  Extension in Danbury, between the Westside Campus Center and Pinney Hall on top of a small hill. The entrance road faces the front of Pinney Hall.

Planetarium shows will run for an hour. The times will vary with the sunset. After the show, the public is invited to view the night sky through individual telescopes or take turns with the large, 20-inch telescope. Telescope viewing will run for two hours, weather permitting.
Schedule of events:

• March 19: 7 – 8 p.m. planetarium show; 8 – 10 p.m. viewing of the waxing gibbous moon, winter and early spring sky, Jupiter

• April 2: 7 – 8 p.m. planetarium show; 8 – 10 p.m. viewing of the spring sky, Jupiter

• April 16: 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. planetarium show; 8:30 – 10:30 p.m. viewing of the waxing gibbous moon, spring sky, Jupiter

• April 30: 8 – 9 p.m. planetarium show;  9 – 11 p.m. viewing of the spring sky, Jupiter

• May 14: 8 – 9 p.m. planetarium show;  9 – 11 p.m. viewing of Jupiter, the moon past first quarter, Mars (late)

• May 21: 9 – 11 p.m. observing only, Jupiter, the full moon, Mars near opposition

Parking is very limited around the observatory, but more can be found on University Boulevard. Planetarium shows are not appropriate for infants or toddlers. Public Nights may be canceled due to severe weather or hazardous road conditions. For updates, call (203) 837-8672 on the day of an event.

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.