A few more weeks for “summer star gazing”

The Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory (next to Alumni Hall) is the site of a series of free open houses this summer, every Saturday evening until August 25, 8:30 to 11 p.m. Several experts from Western’s Department of Physics & Astronomy act as hosts and a brief slide show is held at 8:30 p.m.

When darkness falls, visitors are taken to the telescope to view the skies. The objects viewed vary, but may include the moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, star clusters or galaxies. In the event of clouds, the observatory is still open for the slide show and inspection of the telescopes, and closing time may be earlier. Members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada are often present with their portable telescopes set up on the front lawn. Registration is not required, and parking is available beside the observatory or in the Springett Lot across Western Road. For more information, please call 519-661-3183 or visit www.astro.uwo.ca.