Nothing beats sitting out under the stars on a cool summer night, except looking at the stars up close through a telescope.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy is offering free stargazing at the Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory at The University of Western Ontario every Saturday evening in July and August from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory
Visitors are invited to drop in at any time throughout the session and listen to a talk by the astronomer hosting the evening. Members of the London chapter of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, a partner in the events, are also on hand with portable telescopes set up in the front lawn and back deck of the building.
It’s a unique opportunity to speak with Astronomy faculty members, graduate and undergraduate students about the starry sky and ask questions about the field of study. The sessions are completely volunteer-run to promote community outreach.
Physics and Astronomy assistant professor Sarah Gallagher takes a look through a telescope on the deck of the Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory.
“Astronomy is a really natural science to reach the public and kids because people are just interested; they think it’s cool,” says Physics and Astronomy assistant professor Sarah Gallagher.
“I’m a professional astronomer; I’ve used world-class facilities and still I get goosebumps every time I look through a little telescope and see Saturn. It’s really cool.”
Free stargazing sessions are offered in the Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory every Saturday in July and August from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Depending on the season, some of the spectacular views include the moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, binary stars, star clusters, planetary nebulae and galaxies. The views can differ week-to-week.
Saturn is currently visible, says Gallagher.
According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Delta Aquarids meteor shower will be active between July 14 and Aug. 18, and is best seen an hour or two before dawn. The Perseids meteor shower will be visible Aug. 12-13, and is considered to be among the brightest of meteor showers.
If the skies are cloudy, the Cronyn Observatory will be open for slides and for the public to look at the telescopes. Check the weather forecast before attending because the stars and planets in the galaxy will be more visible on clearer nights.
To find out where to park for the events, click on the parking page.
In a rare opportunity for stargazing enthusiasts, the Elginfield Observatory – located 25 km north of campus – will be open for two open houses on July 24 and Aug. 21 from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Typically reserved for researchers, the observatory will be open for free public viewing to raise awareness about the facility. At the end of 2010, Elginfield Observatory will no longer be used for research purposes. It may be repurposed for education and outreach.
The two open house events will feature telescope tours where members of the public can learn about how the telescope is used. There will be hands-on activities and demonstrations, such as a solar system walking tour, mirror grinding demonstration and crater experiment.
Visitors can look through the 1.2 metre Elginfield telescope to see astronomical objects. The events are suitable for children ages eight years old and older.
Members of the local chapter of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will attend with their telescopes for public use.
“It is a great opportunity to see a working research telescope – one that is still being used for cutting-edge research today,” says Alyssa Gilbert, Earth Sciences postdoctoral fellow, who is co-ordinating the event.
The moon will be nearly full during both open houses and Saturn will be visible, she notes.
The observatory is located at 7688 Observatory Drive. To get there, drive north from London and take Highway 7 to Stonehouse Line. Turn right on Observatory Drive. Click here for a map from Western.
Click here for directions.