The public is invited to view Jupiter and the moon through Missouri University of Science and Technology’s 16-inch telescope on Friday, March 2. The Missouri S&T Observatory will open its doors at 7:30 p.m. The sky must be clear for observing and session length will vary.

The fourth brightest object in the sky and largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter’s mass is 318 times greater than Earth’s and its volume is large enough to contain 1,300 planets Earth’s size.

Visitors’ Night at the Observatory is free of charge and no reservations are required. Each observing session is open-ended. Children are welcome to attend but must be accompanied by an adult.

One additional visitors’ night will be offered this spring. If skies are cloudless, Venus and Mars will be viewed beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, April 20.

Built in 1973, the Missouri S&T Observatory is located at 1550 N. Bishop Ave. (Highway 63 North), adjacent to the university’s Stonehenge replica, 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 Missouri S&T, at 573-341-4369 or email jschmitt@mst.edu.