The public is invited to view the planet Venus through Missouri University of Science and Technology’s 16-inch telescope on Sunday, Feb. 12.

The Missouri S&T Observatory will open its doors at 6:45 p.m. that night for the viewing. The sky must be clear for observing and the session length will vary.

Viewings at the observatory are 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.

On Feb. 12 just under half of Venus will be illuminated causing it to appear crescent-shaped. Venus, the only planet named after a female, was given the name of the goddess of love and beauty perhaps because it shone the brightest of the planets known to ancient astronomers.

This is the second scheduled Visitors’ Night this semester. Other Visitors’ Nights will take place on March 7 and 21, and April 3 and 27. 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 ken.goss@mst.edu.