Behlen Observatory public night is Jan. 14

The first public night for 2005 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Behlen Observatory near Mead will be Jan. 14 from 7 to 10 p.m.

Comet Machholz, the first bright comet in several years, will be high in the sky during the public night and will be viewed with the 30-inch telescope if the sky is clear. Comets are small icy bodies which occasionally approach the sun. When this happens, the ice evaporates, forming a cloud of gas and dust, called the coma or head.

When the comet is near enough to the sun, material in the head is swept out into a long tail by the solar wind and by solar radiation. Although it is difficult to predict the behavior of these objects, it is anticipated that Comet Machholz will be bright enough to be visible with the naked eye in mid-January.

In addition to the comet, if time permits, visitors will be able to view the moon, the planet Saturn, a star cluster and the Orion Nebula through the 30-inch telescope or other smaller telescopes set up outside of the observatory. At various times throughout the evening, a member of the observatory staff will give a slide talk about comets and about Comet Machholz in particular.

Other public nights during the winter and spring of 2005 are scheduled for Feb. 18, March 11 and April 8. Groups of at least 10 persons can also arrange special public nights.

There is no admission charge for the public nights. Further information can be found on the observatory Web site.

Directions to the Observatory:

From LINCOLN: Take U.S. 77 north to six miles past Ceresco, turn east on Nebraska 63 and go eight miles to 10th Street (which is the road to Mead). At that corner there is a large brown sign on the left that lists a number of locations on the field lab, including Behlen Observatory. Turn left and go one mile north to Avenue H. Turn right on Avenue H and continue east two miles until you reach Eighth Street. Turn left on Eighth Street and follow it north 0.6 miles to the observatory, which will be seen on the left.

From OMAHA: Take Nebraska 92 west to Mead. At Mead, turn south on Nebraska Spur 78F and follow it about five miles to Avenue H. Turn left on Avenue H and continue east two miles until you reach Eighth Street. Turn left on Eighth Street and follow it north 0.6 miles to the observatory, which will be seen on the left.

CONTACT: Ed Schmidt, Professor, Physics & Astronomy, (402) 472-2891