Astronomy Club to Hold Spring Star Party

The Ohio Northern University Astronomy Club is conducting a “Spring Star Party” in the Wander Field parking lot on Saturday, March 20, beginning at 8:30 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

The viewing celebrates the vernal equinox – the first day of spring. On this day, the sun rises due east and sets due west, and the length of the day is increasing the fastest. This day also happens to be the day before the opposition of Saturn, when Saturn is closest to Earth and looks the biggest and brightest through a telescope.

During this event, telescopes will be trained on Saturn as well as Mars. There will also be the opportunity to see the crescent moon that will pass through the Pleiades star cluster in Taurus.

If the skies look cloudy, the event will be rescheduled for Monday, March 22, at the same time.

For more information, visit the ONU astronomy Web site.

Published: Wed, 03/10/2010 - 5:17pm