Download South Physics Observatory

University of Utah
Observatories
South Physics Observatory
www.physics.utah.edu/observatory
W.L. Eccles Observatory
www.physics.utah.edu/weo
M45 - Pleiades Open Cluster with faint nebula.
StarBase Observatory
www.physics.utah.edu/starbase
South Physics
Observatory
The Universe At Your
Fingertips
Gamma Ray Astronomy/VERITAS
www.physics.utah.edu/gammaray
Telescope Array
www.telescopearray.org
W.M. Keck Observatory
www.telescopearray.org/tara/index.html
The Sun Active Region 953 in Ha, High resolution image of AR
953 taken on 4-27-07 . This is 11 images taken in Hydrogen Alpha
wavelengths through a Coronodo PST
M33 The Whirlpool Galaxy
All photos courtesy of Paul Ricketts & the South Physics Observatory
201 James Fletcher Bldg.
115 South 1400 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0830
(801) 581-6901
Dept of Physics & Astronomy
University of Utah
www.physics.utah.edu
www.physics.utah.edu
www.astro.utah.edu
www.astro.utah.edu
South Physics Observatory
Community Outreach
The South Physics observatory serves as the only public
observatory in the Salt Lake valley. The observatory
is also a classroom for the University’s Observational
Astronomy courses, weekly public star parties, as well
as for scout, student & youth group tours.
Whether it be at your local school or our observatory, we can
host star and solar parties for you and your group ranging from
15-100+ participants. Is there a community event that you would
like us to take part in? Let us know and we’ll be glad to come! We
can bring some displays or telescopes to help out. We can set up
a booth at your science activity or your city festival.
Observatory History
There has been an observatory of some type for nearly
a century at the University of Utah. The first observatory
(at left) was built around
1915. It was later torn
down to make room
for the James Fletcher
Building (JFB). The current observatory, built
around 1970, sits on the
roof of the South Physics
building, just south of
JFB. In 2001, the W. L. Eccles Foundation donated
funds for new telescopes, cameras, a spectrograph, and
other items for the observatory. More recently, new
mounts and housings were installed for the telescopes.
For a complete list of our telescopes, visit us at
www.physics.utah.edu/observatory
Observational Astronomy
Courses
PHYS 2060/4060 & ASTR 2060/4060
Observational astronomy focuses on exploring the
cosmos through data analysis, telescope instruction,
astrophotography, and astronomy research. These
courses are appropriate for both amateur and experienced astronomers.
Photos courtesy of Paul Ricketts & the South Physics Observatory
During the star parties, we will show your group planets, stars,
galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and any other celestial events that
we can find. Short constellation tours and explanations of what
objects you’re seeing can be given at the telescopes or shortly
before.
Our solar parties will show your group the sun through both neutral density and hydrogen alpha filtered telescopes for viewing
Free public Star Parties take place every clear
Wednesday night at the South Physics observatory. Star parties typically start one hour before
dusk in the summer and 7:00pm in the winter.
Group Tours
The Physics & Astronomy Department provides
tours of the observatory for local youth
groups, grades K-12
and all Girl Scout &
Boy Scout troops.
The presentation
and telescope visit
provides the information needed for Boy
Scouts to obtain their
astronomy belt loop.
For scheduling, arrangement for tours or private Star Parties, please contact us at
[email protected]
Public, scout & youth group tours are free of
charge but donations are welcome.
sunspots and solar flares. We will briefly explain what these are to
your group and answer any questions they may have. Combine
this with our short presentation on the Sun and know exactly
what you are looking for when at the telescope.
All tours and star parties are subject to weather
and availability. Before traveling, please visit the
observatory website to confirm the observatory will be open.
Weekly Star Parties
To learn more visit:
www.physics.utah.edu/observatory
Star parties are a great family-friendly activity designed to both
entertain and educate. A wide variety of activities are available
for all age and skill levels, from casual observer to advanced
astronomer. Those interested are invited to bring their own cameras, binoculars, and telescopes.
or contact us at:
[email protected]
www.physics.utah.edu
www.astro.utah.edu