Osten Observatory Announces 2017 Open House Schedule

Osten Observatory announced their first open house of the academic year will be 8:30-10 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017, on the Concordia University campus.

Additionally, the schedule for the 2017-18 academic year has been released with multiple opportunities for viewing:

Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017; 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017; 8-9:30 p.m., Monday, Mar. 19, 2018; 8-9:30 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 20, 2018; 8-9:30 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2018; 8-9:30 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 22, 2018.

“At next week’s open house, Saturn will be visible through the telescope,” said Dr. Robert Hermann, professor of physics and director of Osten Observatory. “We will also try to look at the pretty double star Alberio, the nebula left over from a dying star, a cluster of stars, and a distant galaxy.”

Dr. Hermann will provide a brief explanation of each object and will answer questions from attendees. There is no set program and visitors are urged to check the weather before they arrive as it can change quickly. If the sky is cloudy, or if it is very windy at the time the observatory is scheduled to open, the viewing will be cancelled for the night.

The observatory is located on the northeast corner of Concordia’s campus on East Hill Crest Drive in Seward. Visitors should be prepared to walk across a short length of field as the path to the observatory is not paved. There is also a step up to be able to reach the telescope. There is no charge for admission.