CONTACT: Charles Nelson, (515) 271-3034, charles.nelson@drake.edu
Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu
The summer series of Friday evening public presentations at the Drake Municipal Observatory will begin at 8 p.m., Friday, June 9, at the observatory in Waveland Park on the west side of Des Moines. The series, presented by Herbert Schwartz and Charles Nelson of Drake’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, will focus on a variety of fascinating subjects.
Each week there will be a non-technical, illustrated presentation on an astronomical topic followed by the opportunity to view several stellar objects through the large refracting telescope and several smaller reflecting telescopes. The program will be 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, which begin at 8 p.m. each Friday from June 9 through July 21. A parent or responsible adult must accompany children.
The schedule for the spring series is listed below:
- June 9: “What is a Myth? Why do we have Myths?”.
- June 16: “The Planets.”
- June 23: “The Zodiac.”
- July 7: “ The Oldest constellations.”
- July 14: “The Beginnings of the Universe.”
- July 21: “Astrology. Does it work?”
For more information, contact the Department of Physics and Astronomy at (515) 271-3141.