Southwestern’s large research-quality reflecting telescope was donated to the Physics Department by Max Allen, a local engineer and builder who was also an amateur astronomer. This Meade LX-200 with Schmidt-Cassegrain* optics and a 16” primary mirror has a digital CCD camera for taking digital images that can be viewed and processed on a computer. This instrument is used by faculty and students for research, and programs of general interest to the public are conducted each month during the academic year.
Next Public Viewing
PUBLIC NIGHT AT THE FOUNTAINWOOD OBSERVATORY The evening viewing begins with a waxing Moon just past first quarter. Around 8:30 PM brighter stars and the planet Saturn begin to appear. By about 9:15 PM it will be dark enough to view dimmer objects such as double stars and open star clusters through a telescope. By the end of the viewing session some brighter galaxies such as M 81 and M 82 in Ursa Major can be seen as well as globular star clusters like M 3 in Bootes. Provided there is clear weather these and other celestial wonders can be viewed through a telescope. Please note that this is the last Public Night of the academic year. Fountainwood Observatory public nights will begin again in September 2009. On hand to guide viewing will be S.U. Physics Department faculty and talented observers from the Williamson County Astronomy Club. Fountainwood Viewing Nights are always FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. The Observatory is located on the northeast side of campus adjacent to the Rockwell Baseball Field. Spring 2009 Calendar
PUBLIC NIGHT: FRIDAY, March 20, 2009, from 8:00 PM CDT to 11:00 PM CDT Sunset 7:42 PM CDT. End Astronomical Twilight 9:03 PM CDT. Moon, waning crescent 27%. The Moon is not visible during the public viewing.
CST = Central Standard Time Note: The Sunset, End astronomical twilight, and moon phase data presented below are taken from the USNO Data Service. Between sunset and the end of astronomical twilight only the brightest objects will be visible. Fall 2009 Calendar: Schedule to appear in August 2009 |
Observatory at Dusk
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