Moraine Valley Offers Free 'Open Telescopic' Viewing Nights

PALOS HILLS, IL -- You may not see the moon in the seventh house or Jupiter align with Mars, but you may see the International Space Station pass into view on Moraine Valley Community College's telescope open viewing nights. MVCC has announced its stargazing schedule for 2018. This is the sixteenth year of free public viewings. The schedule includes the following Fridays:

• August 17, 8 p.m.
• September 14, 7:15 p.m.
• October 19, 6:15 p.m.

Viewings will be canceled if the sky is cloudy or there are high winds. Dates and times are subject to change. All viewings are held at the telescope dome on the G. Jack Bradley Observation Deck, located on the west side of the college's Nature Study Area, off Kean Avenue near 107th Street, Palos Hills.

Krista Syrup, professor of environmental/earth science, is hosting the viewings starting this year. Tom McCague, retired associate professor and astronomer for more than 40 years, built the telescope using common hardware store items and donated it to the college. The telescope is a 6 ½-foot NEwtonian reflecting model with a 13-inch diameter. Observers will have a chance to look through the telescope and are encouraged to bring their own if the have one.

Observers should dress for the weather, wear insect repellent and bring binoculars if they have any. Park in lots east of Building P or in the west section of the Building D parking lot and then walk on the path to the observation deck. Children must be accompanied by an adult or supervisor.

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