Somerset Community College Celebrates Successful Second Astronomy Observation Night
Published on Sep 22, 2023
Somerset Community College (SCC) proudly hosted its second Astronomy Observation Night
on September 19 on SCC’s Somerset North Campus. The event saw an enthusiastic turnout
of approximately 70 participants, including members from the local community, SCC’s
Math and Science Scholar Excellence (MSSE) scholars, and astronomy students enrolled
in AST 101 and AST 195.
The evening commenced at 8 p.m. with an engaging discussion led by SCC's astronomy professor, Debra House, providing valuable insights into the "naked-eye" planets and the Moon. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the best times for viewing these celestial objects, and their locations in the night sky over the next month, and even delved into the fascinating world of orbital mechanics.
Following the informative discussion, participants ventured outside to SCC's scenic nature trail area, where they took turns peering through a telescope. The night sky did not disappoint, as attendees were treated to remarkable views of celestial wonders, including the moon, Saturn and Titan, Jupiter and its moons, and Polaris, the North Star.
Professor House explains, “When you look up at the stars, you see the same thing Galileo saw hundreds of years ago and the same thing that future generations will see hundreds of years from now. It is a link between the past, present, and future. It also applies to everyone. Everyone can develop an interest in the stars.”
The excitement continues with the announcement of the next Astronomy Observation Night, scheduled for October 20 at 8 p.m. Attendees can anticipate a potentially late night as they aim to witness a meteor shower, explore Jupiter and Saturn once more, and observe the moon in its waxing crescent phase, offering minimal light interference. Lawn chairs are recommended.
In addition to this event, SCC offers an exciting course for astronomy enthusiasts: AST 195 - Introductory Astronomy Laboratory. This 1-credit-hour course delves into both planetary and stellar astronomy, covering topics such as Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion and Newton's Laws of Motion. It provides hands-on experience with various telescopes and mounts, and students have the opportunity to observe the sun, moon, planets, binaries, galaxies, and nebulae.
For more information about SCC's Astronomy Observation Nights, AST 195 course, or other offerings, please visit somerset.kctcs.edu or contact Debra House.
