Local astronomy club offers peek at the heavens – Scranton Times-Tribune

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Imy Hernandez, 5, of Throop, looks at Saturn during the Keystone College Thomas G. Cupillari 60 Astronomical Observatorys summer program on Wednesday. The program runs Mondays and Wednesdays through July 31. Jason Farmer / Staff Photographer photos/blumunkee

The heavenly bodies will be there. Whether youll be able to see them is another question.

The Lackawanna Astronomical Society will host Astronomy Day at Keystone Colleges Thomas G. Cupillari Observatory in Benton Twp. on Saturday starting at 7 p.m.

The observatorys telescopes and those of the astronomical societys members will be used to view the moon and its craters, mountains, seas and rills. The moon on Saturday will be in a waxing gibbous phase about three-quarters full.

Telescopes will also offer views of the solar systems largest planet, Jupiter, and its four largest moons. These are the moons first observed by Galileo, proving that some bodies orbit things other than the Earth.

Beyond the solar system, observations are planned of stars, star clusters, double stars, globular clusters and, possibly, nebulae.

Telescopes will be also be set up to safely view the sun before it sets over the western horizon.

The LAS said everyone is welcome, no reservations are required and admission is free.

Much depends on the weather, of course, and the extended forecast doesnt look promising. AccuWeather is calling for considerable clouds, occasional rain and drizzle in the evening, followed by a passing shower late. Saturdays high temperature is expected to be 56 and the overnight low 43.

Even if the weather doesnt cooperate, society members will be available to answer questions about their telescopes and observing the night sky. There will be an illustrated slide program and free sky maps, and free refreshments.

The observatory is at Route 107 and Hack Road in Fleetville, about 1 miles west of Interstate 81 Exit 202, and 7 miles from Keystones campus in La Plume Twp.

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Local astronomy club offers peek at the heavens - Scranton Times-Tribune