MSU hosting free stargazing event at Andreas Observatory

The brilliant stars seen in this image are members of the popular open star cluster known as the Pleiades, or Seven Sisters. The Hubble Space Telescope’s Fine Guidance Sensors refined the distance to the Pleiades at about 440 light-years. The Fine Guidance Sensors are at the periphery of Hubble’s field-of-view. They trace a circumference that is approximately the angular size of the Moon on the sky. They are overlaid on this image to give a scale to Hubble’s very narrow view on the heavens.

Minnesota State University is hosting a star gazing night with a film showing next week at Andreas Observatory.

The free event is Saturday, Sept 9 from 9 p.m. to midnight. Attendees can view planets, stars, the International Space Station, and the Milky Way through observatory telescopes.

The 2014 science fiction/adventure film “Interstellar” (PG-13) will also be screened with trivia and educational talks throughout the movie.

Light refreshments will be available. The public can bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating.

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stargazing night