Saturn reappears for viewing at UNL's Behlen Observatory

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Behlen Observatory near Mead will be open for public observing of a variety of celestial objects from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 3.

Provided the sky is clear, visitors will be able to view a variety of objects with the 30-inch telescope and with smaller telescopes set up outside of the observatory. Saturn is moving into the evening sky after an absence of about 10 months and will be visible after 8 p.m. Other objects will include the moon, Mars, star clusters, double or multiple stars, and the Orion Nebula.

With its spectacular ring system, many feel that Saturn is the most beautiful object in the solar system. Through a small telescope the broad, bright ring system is easily visible while the 30-inch telescope reveals that the ring is actually divided in two by a dark band.

Several times during the evening, a member of the observatory staff will present an illustrated talk on objects in the night sky. The talk will emphasize the rings of Saturn as seen through telescopes on Earth and from spacecraft which have approached the planet.

There is no admission charge for the public night. Further information can be found on the observatory Web site (http://astro.unl.edu/observatory) or by calling UNL astronomer Ed Schmidt at (402) 472-7304. The observatory is located on the grounds of the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center southeast of Mead.

Directions to the Observatory:

FROM LINCOLN: Take U.S. 77 north from Lincoln. Six miles past Ceresco, turn east on Nebraska 66 (formerly 63) and go eight miles to the Mead road. Turn left and go one mile north to Avenue H. At this corner, there are large brown signs on both sides of the road listing various locations of the field lab. Turn right on Avenue H and continue east two miles to 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 until you reach Mead. At Mead, turn south on Nebraska Spur 78F and follow it for about five miles to Avenue H. At this corner, there are large brown signs on both sides of the road listing various locations of the field lab. Turn left on Avenue H and continue east two miles to Eighth Street. Turn left on Eighth Street and follow it north 0.6 miles to the observatory, which can be seen on the left.

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