Good news from Florida Atlantic University for those of us with stars and planets in our sights.
The special “open dome” events at the university’s observatory proved so popular that Eric Vandernoot, FAU’s astronomy and physics lab coordinator, is opening the dome to the public, access to the telescope included, on the first Friday and third Tuesday of the month.
Anyone going on Friday, April 1 is in for a galactic treat because Saturn will be in opposition – an optimal time to view the ringed planet.
Saturn won’t actually make its closest approach to the earth until Sunday, but the difference between the two nights will be negligible, says Vandernoot.
And he tells the astronomy enthusiasts who came out for the 2010 opposition to come on out again.
Not only will the planet’s rings appear more open than last year, there’ll be a newer, bigger and better telescope to see them with, and a presentation on the planet and its moons while we’re waiting our turn to peer through the lens.
The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science Astronomical Observatory will be open 8 p.m. Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday. It’s in FAU’s College of Science and Engineering building, Room 434, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton.
For more information call Eric Vandernoot at 561-297-STAR, e-mail or visit
