Kirkwood Observatory open to public after renovations

On Wednesday evenings, community members can catch a glimpse at the sky from the recently renovated Kirkwood Observatory, located on the edge of campus between the woods and where Indiana Avenue meets Fourth Street.\nThe observatory has been closed to the public for three years. The dome, which opens in order to view the sky, was repaired little by little in a strong effort to improve its quality while maintaining historical value.\n"The telescope and dome are over 100 years old," said Kent Honeycutt, John W. Hill Professor of Astronomy. "Although the observatory had received regular low-level maintenance, accumulated problems, especially with the dome and roof, had become severe."\nRichard Durisen, chairman of the astronomy department, said the improvements made to the observatory were a challenge because the building is designated a historic site. \n"We had to preserve the style of its original architecture; and so we were not allowed to replace the wooden dome with a modern aluminum one," Durisen said. "The renovation was quite thorough and included a major facelift both inside and out."\nBeginning at dusk when the sky is dark and the weather is clear on Wednesday nights, the public can view planets, star clusters and the moon through the 12-inch refracting telescope for free and without reservations.\n"The solar telescope that we use to view the sun enables us to see details like sunspots and flares," said Catherine Pilachowski, Kirkwood Chair of Astronomy. "Studying the sun close up and personal helps students learn and relate the more complex phenomena that make the sun 'work' to their own experience."\nAstronomy has been part of the IU curriculum since 1856, and the observatory was constructed in 1900. The naming of the observatory came from Daniel Kirkwood, who lived and taught in Bloomington for 30 years. Kirkwood is credited with the discovery of the orbits of asteroids, also known as the "Kirkwood Gaps." From its early history until today, the Kirkwood Observatory has been used as a center for astronomy research, classes and stargazing.\n"Kirkwood is used for classes as well as for public nights," Pilachowski said. "Students in our astronomy classes relish a chance to look through the telescope to see the celestial objects we study in class, and really seeing the objects with our own eyes make them so much more real."\nDue to common inclement winter weather, these open houses will only be open during the warmer months of the year. However, Honeycutt said the viewings have been an IU tradition for years.\n"(The viewings) date back to at least the 1960s and probably earlier," Honeycutt said. "There may have even been public viewing nights at the observatory since 1902." \nAccording to a report issued by the Department of Astronomy, this summer is especially pleasant for sightings in the sky. By late August, Mars will be much closer to Earth than it has been in 15 years, and slightly closer than it has been in 50,000 years. Its distinctive red-orange color will double in brightness during the month, becoming equal to the brightest star in the Northern Hemisphere.\nJupiter will dominate the evening sky in the west after sunset and will appear lower each night as the month advances. Venus and Mercury will appear together near the east-northeast horizon before sunrise during June. By the second week this month, Saturn will disappear behind the sun.\n"Exploring the sky helps us answer the question of who we are, and how we got here," Pilachowski said. "It gives us a perspective much larger than ourselves. Of course, the sky is beautiful, too, and we all enjoy viewing the stars, moons, and planets."\nThe moon will be at first quarter on June 7, full on June 14, at third quarter on June 21 and new on June 29. \n"Those who visit within about plus or minus four days of the first quarter moon are able to see mountains and craters on the moon, a truly breathtaking sight," Durisen said. "On other nights during the summer, visitors may see double stars, star clusters, and star forming regions."\nDurisen said he urges students and community members to take advantage of the Wednesday night viewings at the new and improved Kirkwood Observatory.\n"It is extremely important for human beings to have some cosmic perspective, to be able to view their lives in the context of the larger world around them," Durisen said. "It can help us realize that whatever weighs us down in our daily lives may not be quite so important after all. When we do that, it helps us relax, eases stress, and allows us to be kinder to one another"