Bearcat Observatory to host lunar eclipse viewing

Stargazers and astronomy buffs are invited to spend the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Bearcat Observatory, where several telescopes will be set up for the viewing of a full lunar eclipse.

Dr. John Shaw, a physicist with Northwest’s Department of Chemistry and Physics, will be at the observatory beginning at 7 p.m. He said the eclipse will begin at 7:43 p.m. and become full at 9 p.m.

This is the last full lunar eclipse that will be viewable in northwest Missouri for the next three years.

The lunar viewing offers participants an opportunity to explore one of nature’s most dramatic phenomena in a low-light pollution environment. In addition to the smaller telescopes aimed at the moon, Shaw said the University’s 14-inch, research grade Celestron telescope will be trained on Saturn, a major feature of the current night sky.

Open to everyone, the free program will also include general information about astronomy and assistance in locating constellations, planets and other celestial objects.

Bearcat Observatory is located about six miles east of Maryville and just north of Highway 136. From the eastbound lane of 136, turn north (left) toward the Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area (MOERA) and follow the signs.

For more information about the upcoming total lunar eclipse, go to the NASA eclipse homepage at http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/eclipse.html.

In announcing the viewing, Shaw apologized to stargazers who came out for a similar event scheduled Feb. 9 when an observatory volunteer failed to arrive and open the facility.

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Brown,
News Bureau Manager
E-Mail: abrown@nwmissouri.edu
Phone: 660.562.1704
Fax: 660.562.1900

Northwest Missouri State University
219 Administration Building,
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468

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