UND to host a new season of Star Parties

Two venues: UND Observatory, just west of town; and Clifford Hall on the UND campus The northern skies at night in summer are a truly inspiring sight---if the weather cooperates. The University of North Dakota Department of Space Studies, together with the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium, are set to help you get the most of your stargazing experience. This summer and fall, they\u27re hosting star parties, weather permitting, on selected Fridays at the UND Observatory and on campus at Clifford Hall. The Star Parties at Clifford Hall begin with a presentation at 8 p.m.; at the UND Observatory, they begin at duskwith no presentation. UND Space Studies graduate students and members of the Northern Skies Astronomical Society will be on hand to help. Telescopes will be available on site, but you\u27re welcome to bring your own telescopes and/or binoculars.UND Star Parties are free and open to the public. For information about weather cancellations, see https://www.facebook.com/UNDObservatory. Mark your calendars--all regular Star Parties occur on Fridays, weather permitting Clifford Hall Star Parties June 14 and 28, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 27, and Oct. 11 UND Observatory Star Parties June 7, July 12, Aug. 2 and 30, Sept. 6 and Oct. 4. Astronomical special events Several astronomical special events will be part of the UND Observatory Star Party series, starting at dusk: meteor showers, Tuesday, July 30 and Monday, Aug. 12; Venus and Saturn conjunction, Wednesday, Sept. 18; meteor shower, Monday, Oct. 7. Directions to the UND Observatory Take Highway 2 west, turn left just past Mile Marker 346, turn right at the T-intersection, drive ½ mile and take the first left, and then drive ½ mile. The observatory is on the left. Call Paul Hardersen at 777- 4896 or visit www.und.edu/org/nsas for more information. Look for University of North Dakota Observatory on Facebook