Mars, Saturn, Orion Nebula among attractions March 7 at Behlen

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Behlen Observatory near Mead will be open to the public 7:30 to 10 p.m. March 7.

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. These include the planets Mars and Saturn, the Orion Nebula, star clusters and double stars. At various times throughout the evening, members of the observatory staff will give illustrated talks.

Saturn is returning to the evening sky after an absence of nearly a year. It is the second largest planet in the solar system and is accompanied by at least 50 moons, of which several are visible in the telescope. Because of 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 by a dark band.

There is no admission charge for the public night. Further information can be found on the observatory Web site at http://astro.unl.edu/observatory or by contacting UNL astronomer Edward Schmidt at (402) 472-7304 or eschmidt1@unl.edu. The observatory is on the grounds of the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center and is operated by the UNL Department of Physics and Astronomy. Directions to the Observatory (maps are available on the Web site). 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 to 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: Edward Schmidt, Professor, Physics and Astronomy, (402) 472-7304