Austin College’s Adams Observatory will host a Star Party on Thursday, February 20, from 8 to 9 p.m., inviting visitors to search the universe through the largest research telescope in North Texas. Members of the community are welcome to attend the free come-and-go event.
The telescope will point toward Orion’s Nebula, a giant gas cloud where new stars are forming, Dr. David Baker, director of Adams Observatory, said.
Indoor activities, including tours of the observatory, are scheduled so the event will continue regardless of clouds or weather. Adams Observatory is located in the College’s IDEA Center.
The IDEA Center is located at 1108 E. Richards Street, and parking is available nearby. Participants will meet in Page Atrium, the main lobby of the IDEA Center, and will be taken to the Observatory in small groups on a first-come, first-served basis.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with 46 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and more than 100 expert faculty members allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Austin College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.