Southwestern’s large research-quality reflecting telescope was donated to the Physics Department by Max Allen, a local engineer and builder who was also an amateur astronomer. This Meade LX-200 with Schmidt-Cassegrain* optics and a 16” primary mirror has a digital CCD camera for taking digital images that can be viewed and processed on a computer. This instrument is used by faculty and students for research, and programs of general interest to the public are conducted each month during the academic year.
Next Public ViewingThe Nov 20, 2009 FOUNTAINWOOD OBSERVATORY PUBLIC NIGHT IS CANCELED: Rainy weather with overcast skies has moved into the central Texas area. We therefore have to cancel the public night since optical telescopes can not "see through" thick clouds. Public Nights will begin again in January 2010 we hope to see you there!
The evening viewing begins with Jupiter low in the “Southwestern” sky. The moon will set early this evening allowing beautiful star clusters and galaxies (weather providing) to be observed. These include the ancient globular star cluster M 15, youthful open star clusters (such as the double cluster in Perseus) and bright galaxies (such as the Andromeda Galaxy). By the end of the viewing session beautiful winter constellations such as Orion are seen in rising above the eastern horizon. Note that this is the last Public Night of the Fall 2009 Semester. Public Nights begin again in Late January 2010. Fall 2009 Calendar
PUBLIC NIGHT: FRIDAY, August 28, 2009, from 8:00 PM CDT to 11:00 PM CDT Sunset 7:58 PM CDT. End Astronomical Twilight 8:23 PM CDT. Moon, waxing gibbous 62%. The Moon is visible during the public viewing.
CST = Central Standard Time Note: The Sunset, End astronomical twilight, and moon phase data presented below are taken from the USNO Data Service. Between sunset and the end of astronomical twilight only the brightest objects will be visible. |
Observatory at Dusk
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