The public is invited to take a closer look at Mars through the Missouri S&T Observatory’s 16-inch-wide telescope this August.

The observatory will open at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28. Clear skies are required for optimal viewing, and session length will vary.

Visitors’ Night at the Observatory is free to the public and no reservations or tickets are required. Every session is open-ended. Children are welcome at the observatory, but must be accompanied by an adult. All visitors must climb a small set of stairs in order to use the telescope for the viewing.

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.

The second Visitors’ Night will be on Sept. 17 and will focus on Saturn.

For more information about this viewing, the observatory, or to have an email address added to a notification list for future events and weather cancellations, contact Amanda Wetzel by email at asw7v3@mst.edu.