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| Observatory at Widener University |
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| Jupiter |
Widener Observatory is located at the Chester campus on the 5th the floor of the Kirkbride building. It’s been awhile since I’ve been in Kirkbride and it has been remodeled since my time there. For those who came early, an informational video played about the Nebulas. Dr. Harry Augensen, Associate Dean of the Science Division and Professor of Physics and Astronomy College of Arts and Sciences, said he expected a low turnout because of the Phillies game. But in fact about 40 people came, several impressionable children, eager adults, and some Widener students getting credit as part of their course work. The students had to do work but we were just there to enjoy the view.
On one of the decks, we viewed the bare sky, without the telescope, the moon and the stars. Vega, one of the brightest stars pointed out to us, is 25 light years away. Vega was the topic of the 1997 Jodi Foster film, Contact, which was adapted from the Carl Sagan’s novel by the same name. By the way, there are 4 trillion miles in one light year. It would take me 25 years to get to Vega. In the main observatory, we saw the moon by telescope so close and clear it was like being on the moon. This was an amazing sight. A couple turns of the observatory and we saw Jupiter. Very cool! Another deck and another view of the moon, ended with a really good stargazing night.
Widener is offering the Stargazing sessions free to Chester and the surrounding communities on Mondays (most Mondays for the twilight sessions) and Fridays (only once per month). Please check out the website for specific dates and times. A lot more detailed information and pictures are also on the website. To check it out Click Here
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