NOTICE: Due to weather conditions, the Jan. 15 viewing of the Great Orion Nebula has been cancelled.

The public is invited to view the Great Orion Nebula through Missouri University of Science and Technology’s 16-inch-diameter telescope on Monday, Jan. 15. All viewings are subject to weather conditions.

The Missouri S&T Observatory will open its doors at 11 p.m. 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.

Located near the belt stars of the constellation Orion, the Great Orion Nebula is the brightest nebula in the sky. The Great Orion Nebula, also known as M42, is where stars are born.

This is the first viewing of the semester. Future dates this spring include Monday, Feb. 19; Thursday, March 22; Monday, April 9, Monday, April 23; and Wednesday, May 9.

New this semester, the Missouri S&T Observatory will offer open-ended viewings on the third Thursday of each month. Objectives, times and session length will vary. These viewings will be held on Jan. 18; Feb. 15; March 15; and April 19.

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 Missouri S&T graduate student Ken Goss by email at ken.goss@mst.edu.