Amazing Earthfest

Explore what the night sky has to offer in ways that your eyes simply cannot see. We’ll use the University of Utah’s 32-inch high precision fork mounted Cassegrain telescope atop 9,600-foot Frisco Peak in Utah’s West Desert at the Willard Eccles Observatory to peer deep into the cosmos at a few select objects, obtain images, and view details our own eyes never could. We’ll discuss the best amateur class telescopes and cameras you can use to see the night sky and to take photos right from your home. Can it be done without spending a fortune? Yes, it can! It takes a little know-how and perseverance but the results are well worth the effort! This event will be re-scheduled if weather is cloudy.

Kanab’s nonprofit Stellar Vista Observatory (SVO) provides free Weekly Sky Reports identifying the most prominent night sky objects to look at on our website at www.stellarvistaobservatory.org. Visit the website to learn more about the exciting initiative to build a free educational astronomical observatory in Kanab. Consider donating to the project.

Paul Ricketts is director of the South Physics Observatory (SPO) at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and the department of Physics and Astronomy’s Interpretive Specialist in astronomy. SPO offers FREE public star parties on CLEAR Wednesday nights open to all ages, interests and groups as well as lectures, demos, special events, and assistance for those looking to learn to use telescopes for personal use, astrophotography, school science fair projects, and K-12 schools. (Star parties and physical outreach are currently suspended due to the pandemic.)