View moon, planets, stars at public viewings
When I was a little girl, my dad often encouraged me to look up at the nighttime sky.
Using his U.S. Navy-issued binoculars, he’d point out constellations, such as the Big Dipper and Orion. Dad also taught me about the phases of the moon and how a lunar eclipse is formed.
Learning about our solar system at an early age made me appreciate our planet’s place in it so much more.
While taking an astronomy course at Ohio State University in the late ‘80s, I discovered the Perkins Observatory in Delaware. I delighted in looking at the moon and planets through the facility’s many telescopes. I even saw the rings of Saturn, which looked to me like ears on a monkey’s head.
Perkins Observatory is a research facility that’s used by faculty and students of Ohio Wesleyan University’s Physics and Astronomy Department. It’s also open to the public and offers educational programs in astronomy for all ages.
One great way to get introduced to the subject is at one of Perkins’ stargazing nights, held most Fridays throughout the year. The sessions begin at 9 p.m. in the summer and at 8 p.m. in winter. The programs, held rain or shine, include lessons in astronomy, a tour of the observatory and time to view the moon, planets and stars through the observatory’s 32-inch telescope.
Perkins Observatory can accommodate a maximum of 80 guests, so tickets must be purchased in advance by calling 740-363-1257. Admission is $6 for adults, and $4 for seniors and children. (Tickets purchased on the day of the program cost $2 more.)
The observatory is located along U.S. Rte. 23, 10 miles north of Columbus and four miles south of Delaware. Directions are available on its Web site.
While at the observatory, check out its neat gift shop, where you can purchase meteorites, star locators, telescopes, games and posters. Proceeds benefit the observatory’s library. The facility also recently added a playroom with computers and toys for children.
Happy stargazing!
For more information, visit perkins.owu.edu.
