Public Invited to UMaine Planetarium Astronomy Day

UMaine’s Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium and the Penobscot Valley Star Gazers invite families, children and members of the community to Astronomy Day 2012 on Saturday, Oct. 20. Activities will be held from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. in UMaine’s Wingate Hall. The events are free and open to the public.

Tours of the facilities, instructional telescope sessions and children’s activities will be held at the planetarium in Wingate Hall and the nearby Jordan Observatory. Families can build and take home working telescopes in the Scope Building Clinic at 2 p.m. for a $25 fee to cover the cost of materials. Telescope owners can consult with members of the Penobscot Valley Star Gazers to learn about obtaining amateur equipment to observe the heavens from their own backyards, says planetarium director Alan Davenport.

If weather permits, sun telescopes will focus on our solar system’s star and lead to an evening of starry views through amateur telescopes owned by PVSG club members and the big Clark refractor at the Jordan Observatory from 7 p.m to 11 p.m.

Astronomy Day is celebrated each year as a day when planetariums and amateur astronomers share their expertise with the public, and is an opportunity to learn more about and understand the cosmos. Free refreshments will be offered. For more information, a schedule of events and directions call (207) 581-1341 or visit the Galaxy Maine website.

Contact: Alan Davenport, (207) 581-1341