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Hirsch Observatory Visitors Get Close-up View of Mars
Just 34.65 million miles separated Mars and the Earth on Wednesday, Aug. 27 — the closest encounter in nearly 60,000 years. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff, their families, and area residents traveled to the Hirsch Observatory on the Jonsson-Rowland Science Center rooftop to get an up-close look.
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NASA photo of Mars |
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“We were amazed and delighted that so many people joined us at the Hirsch Observatory for this opportunity to view Mars so close up,”said Heidi Jo Newberg, associate professor of physics, applied physics, and astronomy. “This is the largest number of people in memory who have come to the Observatory. I have not seen crowds like this since I lined up to view Haley’s Comet in 1986.”
The Hirsch Observatory offered free public viewing all week, giving vistors the opportunity to catch this rare close up glimpse of Mars. The “red planet” will not be closer to Earth until 2287.
While there was no official count, organizers estimated that more than 1,100 people came to the Hirsch Observatory during the week — more than 700 on Wednesday alone — to get a glimpse of Mars.
“It was especially wonderful to see all of the children so excited to see Mars,” said Sachindev Shenoy, a graduate student in physics who was on hand Wednesday. “It looks like astronomy has a very bright future.”
Bright, rust-colored, and only 35 million miles away, Mars is visible to the naked eye after about 9 p.m. in the southeast region of the night sky. A large-scale telescope, coupled with the knowledge of the volunteer students, faculty, and other local astronomers on hand, made the Hirsch Observatory the perfect place for optimum viewing. A number of user-friendly telescopes were also available, including one designed for children. A particularly clear night will make the planet’s surface details even easier to spot.
“Mars will continue to shine brightly in the night sky for several weeks, so if anyone missed it, there is still time to take a look,” Newberg said. The Hirsch Observatory is open every Friday evening (weather permitting) from dusk until approximately 11 p.m.
For more about the Hirsch Observatory, visit http://galileo.phys.rpi.edu/public.htm or call the StarLab at (518) 276-6763.
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