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Observatory opens doors for viewing of total lunar eclipse October 27
October 20, 2004 | |||||
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KOKOMO, Ind.—View the Wednesday, October 27, total lunar eclipse from the Indiana University Observatory during an 8–11:30 p.m. open house. The free event is open to the public. Members of the Kokomo Astronomy Club will set up telescopes outside of the observatory for additional viewing opportunities. The “totality” of the 2004 eclipse—the time period during which the Moon is completely darkened by Earth’s shadow—should last from 9:20–10:30 p.m. local time. The event is worth seeing, says Professor of Physics Rick Steldt, Ph.D., because another total lunar eclipse won’t happen within Kokomo’s view until the next presidential election year—2008. It’s likely that the open house will also mark the last time that visitors can view an eclipse’s progress through the 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope in the observatory’s heated dome. IU Kokomo has purchased a larger Meade LX200GPS telescope, which Steldt hopes to have installed in the dome when Spring 2005 courses start. The older telescope won’t disappear, however. Steldt plans to have it mounted on a tripod for outside use during public viewings. If the sky over Kokomo is overcast at 8 p.m. on October 27, the open house will be canceled. Guests to campus who do not have an IU Kokomo parking pass should park in the lower level of the parking garage, located just east of the observatory. The new telescope is part of equipment purchased this past summer with the first $117,000 installment from a Kresge Science Initiative grant to the campus. The Kresge Foundation will contribute an additional $117,000 to IU Kokomo for science equipment in July 2005, if private gifts totaling $468,000 are secured by December 2004. The funds will help establish a permanent endowment to maintain and replace equipment. To make a gift to the endowment fund, contact the Office of External Relations at (765) 455-9410.
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