The moon and Saturn will be visible after sunset on Friday, Feb. 23, and amateur astronomers and curious skywatchers will be able to view them through the University of Missouri-Rolla Observatory’s 16-inch telescope.

Weather permitting, the UMR Observatory will open its doors at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23. Visitors’ Nights at the UMR Observatory are free of charge and no reservations are required.

The observatory will open its doors to the public two additional times during the spring semester. Future Visitors’ Nights will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, March 23; and at 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 27. Viewing is subject to weather conditions.

Built in 1973, the UMR Observatory is adjacent to UMR’s Stonehenge replica on Highway 63 North, north of V.H. McNutt Hall and west of St. Patrick’s Lane. For more information contact Dr. John L. Schmitt, associate professor of physics at UMR, at 573-341-4369 or email jschmitt@mst.edu .