Emera Astronomy Center to dedicate new Clark Observatory Sept. 15

Members of the University of Maine community are welcome to attend the dedication of the Emera Astronomy Center’s new Clark Observatory at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15.

The historic Alvin Clark eight-inch refractor, originally installed in 1900, has been relocated to the grounds of the Emera Astronomy Center in a new roll-off roof facility. The observatory will be available to university students and open to the general public following evening planetarium programs.

Scheduled dedication speakers include Shawn Laatsch, director of the Emera Astronomy Center; Jeffrey Hecker, UMaine’s executive vice president for academic affairs and provost; Emily Haddad, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Jeffery Mills, University of Maine Foundation president; and David Batuski, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Light refreshments will be served.

To RSVP, contact Laatsch at 581.1818 or shawn.laatsch@maine.edu by Sept. 13.