The UW-River Falls Society of Physics students will open the UWRF observatory for free public stargazing on Monday, Sept. 9, from 8:30-10 p.m. All ages are welcome. UWRF file photo.

UW-River Falls hosts public stargazing opportunity Sept. 9

Aug. 23, 2024 - The University of Wisconsin-River Falls Society of Physics students will open the UWRF observatory for free public stargazing on Monday, Sept. 9, from 8:30-10 p.m. All ages are welcome.

Multiple telescopes and binoculars will be available to look more closely at a variety of celestial objects -- the waxing crescent Moon, Venus, Saturn's rings, Globular Clusters, and more! Stargazers might also be fortunate enough to witness an extremely rare nova that erupts for about one week every 80 years (though the exact timing is unknown so this could happen before or after this event).

The UWRF observatory is located on the south side of Centennial Science Hall, 511 S. 6th St., River Falls. Enter the building through that south door and take the elevator or stairs up to the third floor observatory lobby then go outside into the dome or out on the observing deck. Faculty and students will be on hand to point the telescopes and answer any questions about what you see, point out prominent constellations and specific bright stars.

For more information, visit https://www.uwrf.edu/PHYS/Observatory.cfm.