Millikin students, faculty to host Public Observation Nights at Requarth Observatory

[August 30, 2014]  DECATUR - Millikin University will be hosting Public Observation Nights (PON) at Requarth Observatory each Tuesday evening during the fall 2014 semester from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. The first Public Observation Night will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. (weather permitting).

Stargazing will take place on the roof of the Leighty-Tabor Science Center on Millikin's campus under the direction of student and faculty astronomers. PONs serve as a great way for Millikin physics and astronomy students to showcase some of their work and the facilities that they use and maintain for their research.

"Public Observation Nights offer members of the Millikin University and Decatur communities the chance to view the night sky through some of the best astronomy equipment in the state, including the largest publicly available telescope in Illinois," said Dr. Casey Watson, resident astrophysicist and associate professor of physics at Millikin. "They give our guests a chance to see and learn about the wonders of the night sky in ways they may never have otherwise. We hope as many people as possible will take advantage of this opportunity."

Requarth Observatory is housed on the fifth and sixth floors of Leighty-Tabor Science Center just off Fairview Avenue in Decatur. For more information, contact Dr. Casey Watson at 217.424.6271 or via e-mail at [e-mail].

[Text received; MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS]