UW News

February 16, 2011

Stargazing days: Jacobsen Observatory announces open houses for the season

UW News

The Jacobsen Observatory at the UW will open its new season in a few weeks and has already filled the programs at its March open houses.

The Jacobsen Observatory

The Jacobsen Observatory

Those wishing to attend the formal program connected with each open house should consider registering early. However, anyone is welcome to attend an open house, tour the observatory and view the night sky if its clear. Members of the Seattle Astronomical Society are always on hand to answer questions.

March open houses are from 7 to 9 p.m. March 2 and 16. Attendees should be able to view Jupiter as it sets in the west, the Orion Nebula to the south, the Pleiades, and many of the other winter/spring celestial objects, according to Observatory Director Ana Larson.

“We will have the six-inch, 1892 refractor located up in the observing dome ready to go, along with a sampling of other amateur scopes on the Observatory grounds,” Larson said.

Other open houses are scheduled on:

  • April 6 and 20, 9-11 p.m.
  • May 4 and 18, 9-11 p.m.
  • June 1 and 15, 9-11 p.m.
  • July 6 and 20, 9-11 p.m.
  • Aug. 3 and 17, 9-11 p.m.
  • Sept. 7 and 21, 9-11 p.m.
  • Oct. 5 and 19, 7-9 p.m.
  • Nov. 2, 7-9 p.m.

To make reservations for the talks held in the observatory classroom, e-mail Larson at anamunn@uw.edu. Topics of the talks after March will be posted on the observatory website.