The constellation Cygnus. Photo courtesy of NASA.

The public is invited to view a cluster of stars in the constellation Cygnus through Missouri University of Science and Technology’s 16-inch telescope on Monday, Sept. 21.

The Missouri S&T Observatory will open its doors at 8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21. The sky must be clear for observing and session length will vary.

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. All visitors must be able to ascend a short set of stairs in order to view the object through the telescope.

Cygnus, which translates to swan, is one of the most recognizable constellations in the northern hemisphere during the summer and autumn. It is characterized by a prominent pattern of stars called the Northern Cross sometimes referred to as the backbone of the Milky Way. Cygnus was among the 48 constellations listed by the second century astronomer Ptolemy.

The observatory will host a viewing of Jupiter and Mars on Friday, Oct. 18, and a viewing of the Pleiades on Monday, Nov. 9. All viewings are subject to weather conditions.

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 McNutt Hall and west of St. Patrick’s Lane.

For more information, or to have your email address added to an event notification mailing list for future updates and weather cancellation notices, contact Ken Goss by email at krgvx4@mst.edu.