March 15 Telescope Clinic & Stargazing Party Offered at UMaine
Contact: Alan Davenport, 581-1341; George Manlove, 581-3756
ORONO — Telescopes and binoculars, often considered windows to the universe, allow average sky-watchers to see stars of different colors, brightness and those with partners called doubles. More exotic objects — star clusters, nebula and galaxies — also are readily visible with magnification.
To help the public access an exciting, closer look at the heavens, members of the Penobscot Valley Star Gazers will host a free Telescope Help Clinic Saturday, March 15, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium in Wingate Hall.
Club members will have various telescope models on display to show what styles best fit individual needs and budgets. Members of the public are invited to bring along their own telescopes, if they would like stargazer club members to help with the use of the equipment, or to use it at an evening stargazing party after the clinic, from 7-10 p.m. at the Jordan Observatory. The stargazing party also is free.
“If you have had trouble with equipment or just want to better understand how it can be used, drop by,” says Alan Davenport, director of the Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium at UMaine. The Jordan Observatory is located behind the Memorial Union on the Orono campus.
Everyone is welcome to drop by anytime during the clinic to hear PVSG members explain how to best observe galaxies, stars, planets and their moons. They also will explain how to note seasonal changes, and the Jordan Planetarium will run free sky tours to help sky watchers brush up on the constellations.
With eyes only, stargazers can see stars forming dramatic constellation characters of ancient lore and the moon going through its phases to reveal its surface features, in addition to meteor showers, northern lights and the five classical planets. Amateur telescopes on the market today, ranging in price from $40 to thousands of dollars and weighing from 10 pounds to more than 100 pounds, magnify the experience. During the afternoon clinic, PVSG club members will explain how to compare various telescope models and options.
The Penobscot Valley Star Gazers is a local astronomy club formed to promote education and enjoyment of the night sky. The club meets on the second Monday of each month in room 310 at John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor at 6:30 p.m. Meetings consist of a guest speaker followed by a business meeting. Annual dues are $15 for one adult, and other rates apply for families. More information is on the club website (www.Gazers.org).
Parking for the Jordan Observatory is available in the Maine Center for the Arts parking lot. For additional information, contact Alan Davenport at 581-1341.