UNT Observatory to provide up-close view of Mars

UNT will sponsor an open house at the UNT Observatory on Sept. 6 for a public viewing of Mars from midnight to 2 a.m. The observatory is located at 9103 N. Locust St. (FM 2164), approximately five miles north of the campus.

"Mars hasn't been this close to Earth in recorded history," says Ron DiIulio, director of the astronomy student laboratory and UNT planetarium. "It won't be this close again until the year 2287. This open house will give everyone an opportunity to view the planet at its highest point in the night sky."

DiIulio says the Saturday event was planned with consideration for children who can't stay out late on school nights.

"It's better to view the planet later at night, to avoid haze that occurs earlier in the evening," DiIulio says. "The open house offers school children a chance to view Mars during peak hours of brightness — around midnight."

UNT Observatory manager Don Garland says six telescopes will be available for use, including a special handcrafted refracting telescope.

"Physics and astronomy professors as well as laboratory and teaching assistants will be on hand to provide information about Mars," Garland says.

BY CATHY CASHIO ccashio@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Regents approve 2004 budget, 2 percent raise pool for faculty, staff
• UNT announces tuition task force, seeks to create guaranteed tuition rates
• UNT to petition Texas Education Agency for virtual charter school authority
• UNT offices moving to, from and within the Hurley Administration Building
• New Fouts Field scoreboard, videoboard to be finished in time for first home game
• Agreement links UNT, Ukranian university
• Faculty members honored at annual convocation
• Dance, theatre arts tickets on sale soon

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