Astronomy Open House to feature celestial sightings

Astronomy Open House returns to ASU’s West campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Rd., from 7-9 p.m., Oct. 17. Hosted by the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, the event will feature viewing of the celestial sights of the fall sky. Telescopes will be set up east of the FAB/FABNX buildings on east side of campus. Parking is available in Lot 12, the visitor lot off University Way North. Visitor parking costs $2 per hour.

“This semester’s event focuses on bright star clusters and galaxies,” said Paul Schmidtke, a faculty member in the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences.  “As an added bonus, those who arrive early will see the planet Mars and the crescent moon. Jupiter will be rising later in the evening. So, there will plenty of objects to observe.

“The Astronomy Open House is fun for the whole family. For many participants, it’s the first opportunity they’ve ever had to see the night sky through a telescope,” Schmidtke said.

For more information, visit http://www.west.asu.edu/atpcs/AOHFall2012.jpg or contact Schmidtke at paul.schmidtke@asu.edu.