CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, 515-271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu
Major milestones in the history of astronomy and the pioneers who made key discoveries will be explored during the fall series of Friday evening public presentations at the Drake Municipal Observatory.
The free series will conclude on Friday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m. with a lecture titled “The Master Educators — Fred Hoyle, Carl Sagan,
William K. Hartmann and Daniel Morehouse, former Drake President and
discoverer of the Morehouse Comet.”
Each week there will be a non-technical, illustrated presentation on an astronomical topic by Charles Nelson or Herbert Schwartz of Drake’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. The presentation will be followed by the opportunity to view several stellar objects through the large refracting telescope and several smaller reflecting telescopes.
The observatory is located in Waveland Park on the west side of Des Moines and can be reached by turning west off Polk Boulevard onto Observatory Road and following the road into the park. Parking is available adjacent to the observatory.
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. A parent or responsible adult must accompany children.
For more information, contact Drake’s Department of Physics and Astronomy at 515-271-3141.