Luther to host March 4 astronomy observation

Luther College in Decorah will host an astronomy observing session Friday, Mar. 4 from 7:30-9 p.m. at Valders Hall of Science. Jeff Wilkerson, professor of physics, will lead the session.

Saturn will again be a highlight of the observing session. While the orientation of the planet is not as favorable as it was last year, the rings can still be seen quite distinctly in the telescopes.

During the March session, Saturn will reach its maximum height in the sky, offering the best views of the planet until it returns next year. The higher the planet is in the sky, the less of earth's atmosphere light reflected from planet must pass through on its way to our telescopes. Less atmospheric interference means an improved ability to see fine detail in the rings.

Saturn's largest moon, Titan, will also be visible as its apparent separation from the giant planet grows throughout the night of March 4.

Well to the north of Saturn, the familiar pattern of the Big Dipper will be climbing higher into the sky. Either Cassiopeia or the Big Dipper is typically high in the northern sky. Cassiopeia dominates the evening skies of fall and winter but as we approach spring the Big Dipper returns to the part of the sky above the celestial pole. The Dipper will be higher in the sky with each of the next few open houses, offering outstanding views of bright galaxies M81 and M82 as well as the Owl Nebula M97.

Read about upcoming sessions at http://astronomy.luther.edu.