Student Observatory's final Mars night is Nov. 4

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Student Observatory will have the third of its three special Friday night Mars viewings Nov. 4 from 7 to 11 p.m.

Last weekend Mars was the closest it will get to the earth until 2018 and Nebraska will not get as favorable a view again until 2020. Although Mars is being left behind by the earth now, it still remains close and very well placed for viewing.

Visitors to the observatory in previous weeks have seen some of the violent dust storms that have broken out in the southern hemisphere of Mars, and some dust activity might be seen this Friday, according to UNL astronomer Martin Gaskell.

There is no charge for admission to the observatory and children of all ages are particularly welcome. Mars can be seen well even if the sky is mostly cloudy. If in doubt about the weather, call the observatory at (402) 472-4728.

The Student Observatory is located on the roof of the Stadium Drive Parking Garage, 10th and T streets. The observatory is unheated, so visitors should dress appropriately.

For more information about the Student Observatory, contact Gaskell, the observatory coordinator, at (402) 472-4788 or by e-mail, or visit the observatory's Web site (http://www.physics.unl.edu/directory/gaskell/stdobs.html).

The observatory's next public night will be Dec. 16.

CONTACT: Martin Gaskell, Research Assoc. Professor, Physics & Astronomy, (402) 472-4788