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Drake Observatory to explore distance and energy of stars

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Drake Municipal Observatory

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, 515-271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

Tools for sorting stars and determining the distance and energy of stars will be the focus for the observatory series lecture entitled “The Amazing Technicolor H-R Diagram,” on Friday, Oct. 8.

The event will start at 8 p.m. in the Drake Municipal Observatory at 4898 Observatory Road in Waveland Park on the west side of Des Moines. Parking is available adjacent to the observatory.

The series, which is free and open to the public, will continue each Friday at 8 p.m. through Oct. 29, with a non-technical, illustrated presentation by Charles Nelson or Herbert Schwartz of Drake University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Each presentation will be followed by the opportunity to view several stellar objects through the large refracting telescope and several smaller reflecting telescopes.

The programs are held regardless of the weather, although the selection for observation is subject to change due to sky conditions or other special circumstances.

Individuals, families and small groups are welcome to attend the presentations. A parent or responsible adult must accompany children.

The schedule for the remainder of the fall series is listed below:

*    Oct. 15: “More Tricks for Spectrums”

*    Oct. 22: “Discovering How the Sun Works”

*    Oct. 29: “Fantasy Becomes Reality”

For more information, contact Drake’s Department of Physics and Astronomy at 515-271-3141.