Zacheis Planetarium, located on the south campus
Learn more about solar eclipses and take a look through the powerful telescopes at the dark night sky. Dr. Robert Astalos, Adams State University planetarium director and physics professor, will speak about the total solar eclipse that will cross the US on August 21. He will explain what a solar eclipse is and why there are different types. The lecture will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 13, in the Adams State Zacheis Planetarium and will repeat at 7:45 p.m.
Astalos will provide information about solar eclipses in general, when and where they will occur, how long they will last, etc., and highlight all the total solar eclipses visible from the US for the next 25 years. “Finally, we’ll look at the circumstances of this year’s eclipse, where you have to go to see it, what to expect, and how to observe it safely,” he said.
Both the Zacheis Planetarium lecture and the Observatory Open House are free and open to the public.
The Observatory is on the north side of campus, behind the baseball and softball fields.
The Adams State Observatory, a separate building from Zacheis Planetarium, will host an open house from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. Saturday, April 15. The open house will include a star tour and deep-sky viewing. Visitors will learn how to use the free star charts that will be available and will take a tour of the visible constellations and bright stars. There will be multiple telescopes available for viewing double stars, nebulae, star clusters, and more. Arrive any time between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. and stay however long you like.
There is no parking at the observatory. Please plan on parking on the west side of Stadium Drive (or any other legal street parking), or in the parking lot on the south side of the soccer field, then follow the banners pointing the way to the observatory.
Both the Zacheis Planetarium lecture and the Observatory Open House are free and open to the public.
