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 Venus next to a thin crescent moon low in the southwestern sky. The magnificent Orion nebula, a stellar nursery over 1200 light years distant, is well placed for viewing. Beautiful star clusters such as the “Double Cluster in Perseus”, the “E.T.” cluster in Cassiopeia or the Pleiades in Taurus can also be viewed. Binary star systems such as eta Cassiopeia, a beautiful double star, or iota Cassiopeia, a charming triple star also dot the sky. By the end of the evening Saturn makes a showing but this year its rings are nearly edge on and difficult to view. These and other celestial wonders can be viewed through a telescope. 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, February 20, 2009, from 8:00 PM CDT to 11:00 PM CDT Sunset 6:23 PM CDT. End Astronomical Twilight 7:43 PM CDT. Moon, waning crescent 13%. 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. |
Southwestern at Night
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