Public Observation Nights
 
     On November 27th at 8:30 pm Millikin University will be hosting its fifth public observation night at Requarth Observatory. Public observation nights debuted with a program on September 27th with subsequent programs following every two weeks. Public observation nights begin with a presentation by faculty or students about an exciting class of astronomical objects. After the presentation, visitors are given a short tour of the observation deck and of the main observatory dome. We cap off the evening by viewing that night’s theme objects through Requarth’s main 20-inch telescope.

     The topic for September 27th was the moon and its significance. Shae Trumpy, a sophomore physics major, was the presenter. Roughly 65 students, professors, and Decaturians came to the debut and were greeted with a wonderful night sky and beautiful full moon. In addition to being able to observe the moon through various telescopes, guests were also able to see Jupiter accompanied by several of its moons. However the highlight of the evening might have been seeing the Hercules Cluster through Requarth’s main 20-inch telescope.

     The topic for October 11th was the life and death of stars. Bobby Arn, a sophomore physics and applied mathematics major was the presenter. A little over 40 guests arrived to listen to Bobby's presentation. The weather was decidedly uncooperative with clouds blocking all but a couple of stars. Visitors were still given a tour of the facilities that Millikin faculty and students use daily to carry out their research.

     Each night will feature a new program with a different celestial topic to be discussed and viewed. October 25th and November 8th offered a unique glimpse into binary stars. Andrew Schenk a sophomore physics major gave both of those talks to about 12 visitors. The more scientists learn about the universe the more likely it is that single stars like ours are an oddity.

      These events will be a fantastic opportunity for the general public to see the night sky through some of the very best equipment in the state. Public nights will also serve as a great way for Millikin’s physics and astronomy students to showcase some of their work and the facilities that they use and maintain for their research.

     Requarth Observatory is housed on the fifth and six floors of Leighty Tabor Science Center just off Fairview Avenue in Decatur, Illinois. Please join us every two weeks on our exciting journey through the solar system, the galaxy, and beyond



Download the presentation here

September 27, The Moon 101
October 11, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
October 25,
November 8, Twins
November 27,