The Denison University Swasey Observatory will be open from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday (March 26), weather permitting, to view the March skies. Director of the Observatory Lauren Jones and Denison astronomy students will be on hand to assist visitors in viewing the skies through the Warner & Swasey 9-inch refracting telescope in the observatory's dome and an 8-inch telescope set up at ground level. The telescopes will be accessible until 9 p.m. and families are encouraged to attend.

Denison's Swasey Observatory opened in 1910. Open houses for community members are a tradition that dates back to at least 1963. "I enjoy giving community members an opportunity to learn more about astronomy and to use the Denison telescope to view objects in the night sky in a new way," says Jones. "These open houses also provide Denison students an opportunity to be involved in community service."

One additional observatory open house is planned for this semester on April 23. Viewing the stars at observatory open houses is dependent on clear skies, but Jones also has set a final open house in the Olin Science Hall planetarium on April 9; these programs take place in any weather. All events are free and open to the public.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575