FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shirley Luna – April 29, 2004

Observatory Viewing Scheduled at SFA

The Society of Physics Students at Stephen F. Austin State University is sponsoring a free public viewing session at the SFA Observatory on Tuesday, May 4. SFA faculty members Drs. Norm Markworth and Dan Bruton, both professional astronomers, will lead constellation tours and familiarize guests with the spring sky.

The 10-, 18- and 41-inch research telescopes will be open for inspection, and the 18-inch will provide detailed digital images of the sky. Markworth, Bruton and members of the Society of Physics Students will help visitors locate planets, star clusters and galaxies using eight-inch telescopes. Viewers may wish to bring their own binoculars.

A bus with a capacity of 35 to 45 persons will provide transportation to the observatory site on a first-come, first-served basis. The bus departs at 8 p.m. from the Stone Fort Museum on the SFA campus and will return at approximately 10 p.m. Since parking is restricted at the observatory site and because excessive dust can harm the telescopes on the site, Dr. Harry Downing, chair of the SFA Department of Physics and Astronomy, requests that all participants ride the bus.

The Society of Physics Students is a service-oriented club. Questions regarding this viewing session may be directed to Downing or club sponsor Ali Piran at 468-3001.

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