CONTACT: Tory Olson, 515-271-1834, tory.olson@drake.edu
The Drake Municipal Observatory will begin a new fall series on Friday, Sept. 11, on technology used in astronomy, which will include presentations on the telescope, radio waves and astro photography.
The series will begin with a presentation titled, “The Eyes Have It,” which will discuss the use of observational astronomy to predict future events.
The event will start at 8 p.m. in the 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. 30, 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:
- Sept. 18: “The Telescope: Part I”
- Sept. 25: “The Telescope: Part II”
- Oct. 2: “Beyond the Eye”
- Oct. 9: “Holding the Image”
- Oct. 16: “Being There: Part I”
- Oct. 23: “Being There: Part II”
- Oct. 30: “The Christmas Telescope”
For more information, contact Drake’s Department of Physics and Astronomy at 515-271-3141.