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The physics discipline and Physics Student Club conduct frequent public telescope viewings, and additionally for astronomical events of interest. Please note that the weather conditions can influence observing. Check back here about two hours before your visit for updated information. Start times vary with sunset times.
If you are interested in visiting with a group, please contact the physics faculty at the University of Minnesota Morris, for example Sylke Boyd ( sboyd@morris.umn.edu).
Monday, August 31, 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.: Venus and the Clusters of the Milky Way
Monday, August 31, 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.: Venus and the Clusters of the Milky Way
Venus will present as a 39% crescent but vanish soon after the sun. We can view it during dusk. We will take a tour of the open and globular star clusters of our Milky Way and learn about the story of our own galaxy as we explore their positions and appearances. Late, perhaps we can aim for Neptune and Saturn as they rise.
As always, please check here before heading out if any weather adjustments became necessary.
Weather Alternative: Tuesday, September 1, same time
Monday, September 14, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.: Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Moon at dusk
Monday, September 14, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.: Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Moon at dusk
We start with the big solar filter, and check the sun for sunspots. At around 7 p.m, the filter comes off, and we turn away from the sun toward the New Moon with a 16% phase, and adjacent Venus with a phase of only 29 %. Mercury also might bee seen - we should try!
As always, please check here before heading out if any weather adjustments became necessary.
Weather Alternative: Tuesday, September 15, same time
Friday, September 18, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.: Open House for Family Weekend
Friday, September 18, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.: Open House for Family Weekend
Venus will present as a 26% crescent very low in the western dusk. The Moon is a waxing half moon, and the views along the terminator will thrill with long shadows of crater walls and mountains, even if the darkness is not perfect yet. Saturn should be in viewing position by 9:30 pm. With the summer triangle in perfect zenith position, we can admire the complexity of Cygnus and Lyra. Andromeda Galaxy also moves back into best viewing position.
As always, please check here before heading out if any weather adjustments became necessary.
Weather Alternative: Saturday, September 19, same time
Monday, September 28, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.: Autumn Treasure Hunt
Monday, September 28, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.: Autumn Treasure Hunt
Venus will present as a 17% crescent very low in the western dusk. We will explore a few double-star systems, in particular with color differences. The sky is oddly empty of planets and Moon for the first hour, but there are a few clusters and the Andromeda Galaxy to seek. Moon and Saturn will come into view after 9 p.m.
As always, please check here before heading out if any weather adjustments became necessary.
Weather Alternative: Tuesday, September 29, same time
Monday, October 12, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.: Let's go to Saturn
Monday, October 12, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.: Let's go to Saturn
Saturn will become more easily to view as it achieves higher positions earlier in the evening in particular after 8 p.m. Andromeda Galaxy has her prime spot during fall. We should visit.
As always, please check here before heading out if any weather adjustments became necessary.
Weather Alternative: Tuesday, October 13, same time
Monday, October 26, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Full Moon ahead!
Monday, October 26, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Full Moon ahead!
We can explore the full earth-side view of the moon. It will be bright and round at its 99% phase. Saturn and Pleiades may have a cameo.
As always, please check here before heading out if any weather adjustments became necessary.
Weather Alternative: Tuesday, October 27, same time
Monday, November 9, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: ISS meets Saturn
Monday, November 9, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: ISS meets Saturn
A dark, moonless night will be perfect to see Saturn, the Pleiades, the Andromeda Galaxy, all the star clusters, and more. Notable: Around 7:52 p.m., the ISS passes close to Saturn. It takes about 9 minutes for the ISS to pass across the whole sky, today rising from SW at 7:48 p.m. and setting NNE at 7:57 p.m.
As always, please check here before heading out if any weather adjustments became necessary.
Weather Alternative: Tuesday, November 10, same time
Monday, November 23, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Dance-off between Pleiades and Moon
Monday, November 23, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Dance-off between Pleiades and Moon
A full moon night, with the moon traveling to cover up the Pleiades later that night around 6 a.m. But we do need to wait that long to enjoy the lunar surface, the Pleiades, Saturn, Andromeda Galaxy, and a glimpse of Orion as it rises into view around 9 pm.
As always, please check here before heading out if any weather adjustments became necessary.
Weather Alternative: Tuesday, November 24, same time
Monday, December 7, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Winter is coming
Monday, December 7, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Winter is coming
Moonless evening giving views to Pleiades, Saturn, Andromeda, Cassiopeia. By 9 pm, we also can see Orion again. But we also know that December begins a difficult period for the observatory in which temperatures and snow may make it difficult to use. I am hoping one of the two, this week or next week, will work out.
As always, please check here before heading out if any weather adjustments became necessary.
Weather Alternative: Tuesday, December 8, same time
Monday, December 14, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Hello, old friends!
Monday, December 14, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Hello, old friends!
A sliver of a 29% moon to view, with Saturn in great position, and an early rise of Orion and Taurus will make for a good winter night viewing! But we also know that December begins a difficult period for the observatory in which temperatures and snow may make it difficult to use. I am hoping one of the two, last week or this week, will work out.
As always, please check here before heading out if any weather adjustments became necessary.
Weather Alternative: Tuesday, December 8, same time
More Open Observatory nights will be available throughout spring.
More Open Observatory nights will be available throughout spring.
Please check back later for the schedule.
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