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Record of Events at ONU Observatory


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A Public Event:  Friday, July 29 -- The Delta Aquarid Meteors

The ONU Astronomy Club is hosting a public viewing event called "The Delta Aquarid Meteors" on Friday, July 29. The ONU Observatory will be open from 9:30-11 PM. The Southern Delta Aquarid Meteor shower peaks around this date every year. It produces about 20 meteors per hour. This should be a good night to observe them, weather permitting, because the Moon won't be out. Meteors are best viewed with the naked eye, but we will also have our telescopes tracking Saturn and various deep sky objects.

This event was cancelled because of clouds and telescope repairs.  

An ONU Event:  Friday, June 3 -- Alumni weekend

The ONU observatory will be open to ONU Alumni visiting on Alumni weekend (June 3-5, 2011). The hours will be 8:30-10:30 PM. Notice that it opens well before twilight, but we should still be able to view the crescent moon through the telescopes. If you want to get a better look at the night sky, come between 9:30 and 10:30. this web site before making the trip.

This ONU event is was a success.  

An Public Event:  Friday, May 6 -- The Galaxies of Spring

The ONU Astronomy Club is hosting a public viewing event called "The Galaxies of Spring" on Friday, May 6. The ONU observatory will be open from 9:00-11:00 PM.   The telescopes will first follow the crescent Moon as it descends in the West, followed by Saturn, as it rises in the East.   After twilight, we will hunt down some galaxies near the North Galactic Pole, which will be well-placed near the meridian.  The event will be canceled if the forecast on the afternoon of May 6 calls for cloudy skies.   Please consult this web site before making the trip.

This public star party was a success!  

Previous Public Event:  Friday, Mar 25 -- Saturn's Serpent Storm


The ONU Astronomy Club is hosting a public viewing event called "Saturn's Serpent Storm" on Friday, March 25. The time for this one is 9-11 PM (later than previous events because of the later sunset). The main attraction will be Saturn which is rising around 9 PM. It has been in the news for an unusual storm called the "Serpent Storm" roiling in its northern hemisphere. This feature was discovered by amateurs in December, 2010. It should be visible in our telescopes, along with the spectacular rings and moons of Saturn.
The event will be canceled if the forecast on the afternoon of Mar 25 calls for cloudy skies.   Please consult this web site before coming.  
This public star party was a success.  

Previous Public Event:  Friday, Feb 18 -- Full Moon Madness


The ONU Astronomy Club invites ONU, Ada, and the surrounding communities to visit the ONU Observatory for a public viewing on Friday, Feb 18, from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. It happens to be the night of a Full Moon, so the Moon will be a target for our telescopes when it rises.  We will also look at Jupiter, the Orion Nebula, and other deep sky objects.  This will be the first event in which a live video image through a telescope will be displayed!  The new observatory has a control room and public bathrooms which are kept warm.  However, dress warmly because the roof rolls off of the main observatory deck. 

The event will be canceled if the forecast on the afternoon of Feb 18 calls for cloudy skies, or if excessive ice is built up on the roof.  Please consult this web site before coming.  
This public star party was a success!  

Previous Public Event:  Friday, Jan 28 -- Star formation in Orion


The ONU Astronomy Club invites ONU, Ada, and the surrounding communities to visit the ONU Observatory for a public viewing on Friday, Jan 28, from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The theme of this  viewing will be "Star formation in Orion".  

The event will be canceled in the event of cloudy weather.  Please consult this web site.  
This public star party was CANCELED due to the cloudy forecast. :-(  




Previous Astronomy Events at ONU:

Previous Public Event:  Friday, Jan 14 -- Jupiter Public Star Party.

The ONU Astronomy Club invites ONU, Ada, and the surrounding communities to visit the ONU Observatory for a public viewing on Friday, Jan 14 from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm.  The Moon, Uranus, and Jupiter will be prime targets for the telescopes. You can see craters and mountains on the Moon, the pale green disk of Uranus, and the Moons and belts around Jupiter, the most massive planet in the solar system.  

Because of cloudiness, this public star party was  CANCELED.  

Completed Public Event:  Tuesday, Dec 14 -- Geminid Star Party. 

As a holiday send-off for ONU and the Ada community, the ONU Astronomy Club wishes to open the new campus observatory during this splendid annual meteor shower. Come by any time between 8 pm and 10 pm on Tuesday night provided that it is clear.
This event was a success! Thanks for attending despite the cold. Not too many meteors were spotted as dramatic clouds zipped past, but celestial objects like the Moon, Jupiter, and Albireo were observed with the telescopes.  

Completed ONU Event:   Friday, Oct 8 8:00-10:00 pm. Inaugural Homecoming Open House

Dean Catherine Albrecht, in conjunction with the Department of Physics and Astronomy students, faculty, and staff invites certain alumni and friends of ONU to the University’s newest stellar teaching and research facility. Weather permitting, night sky viewing is scheduled. 

The Homecoming Open House event was a success! An estimated 70 people attended. A "thanks" to all of our visitors.  

Completed ONU Event:   Monday, Sept 6: Welcomefest for ONU Astro Club

The Welcomefest event is contingent on completion of the Observatory.
The Welcomefest event was a success!  






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