Visitors take in a free viewing of the moon, stars and galaxies in the Richard D. Schwartz Observatory at UMSL. The next viewing is March 3. (Photo by August Jennewein)

Go star-gazing at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. The Department of Physics and Astronomy will hold a public viewing of Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Orion Nebula and Pleiades at the Richard D. Schwartz Observatory on March 3 at 7 p.m. The viewing is free and open to the public. An expert will be on hand to answer all of your questions Bring the whole family!

Public viewings are held one Saturday a month at the UMSL observatory.

All open houses include a viewing of the first quarter moon, along with additional nebulae and galaxies.

Visit umsl.edu/~physics/astro or call 314-516-5706. Click HERE for directions and information about the observatory. The Richard D. Schwartz Observatory is located at Florissant Road and Rosedale Drive on UMSL’s campus.

2012 Observatory Open House Schedule

Date & Start Time            Objects to View

March 3, 7 p.m.               Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Orion Nebula, Pleiades

March 30, 8 p.m.            Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Orion Nebula, Pleiades

April 28, 8:30 p.m.         Saturn, Mars, Venus, Hercules Cluster, Beehive Cluster
Astronomy Day!

May 26, 9 p.m.                Saturn, Mars, Hercules Cluster, Ring Nebula, Beehive Cluster

June 23, 9 p.m.               Saturn, Mars, Hercules Cluster, Alberio, Ring Nebula

July 28, 9 p.m.                Saturn, Mars, Hercules Cluster , Ring Nebula, Alberio

Aug. 25, 8:30 p.m.          Saturn, Mars, Ring Nebula, Alberio, Andromeda Galaxy

Sept. 22, 8 p.m.               Ring Nebula, Alberio, Andromeda Galaxy, Hercules Cluster

Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.           Jupiter, Pleiades, Ring Nebula, Alberio, Andromeda Galaxy