FRANKENLUST TWP, MI – Delta College will host an open house and its first public observation night at its new observatory, the Delta Dome, this Friday night, Oct. 25.
Beginning at 8 p.m., residents are invited to visit the Delta Dome, located on the southwest corner of Delta College’s Campus at 1961 Delta Road in Frankenlust Township, and take a look through its CDK700 telescope, which includes a 28-inch mirror installed by Adrian-based PlaneWave Instruments.
Through the telescope, residents will be able to view galaxies, nebulae, and other deep-space objects, according to Delta College officials. Faculty members will be at the observatory to guide and assist stargazers as they look through the telescope.
Construction of the observatory was completed this summer for a total cost of just under $800,000.
Delta College built the observatory with some help from the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association (MESTA) and the Great Lakes Star Gaze Committee (GLSG), which provided grant funds for the purchase of a high-quality imaging camera.
“This observatory has been a dream in the making for over 20 years,” Kevin Dehne, an associate professor of astronomy and physics at Delta College, said in a statement.
“We are excited to share this incredible resource with our students and the broader community. The Delta Dome will serve as a hub for astrophotography, astronomical research and education.”
Delta College officials plan to continue hosting public observation nights at the new observatory on a monthly basis and in alignment with the phases of the moon and ideal weather conditions.
If weather conditions force the college to postpone this week’s event, it will instead take place on Saturday night, Oct. 26.
Attendees can park on the west side of Delta College’s campus at the south athletic fields parking lot.
The observatory is located behind a concession building with a “Go Delta” sign that also features the college’s duck mascot.
For more information about public events at the observatory, call 989-686-9232.
Delta College also has a planetarium in downtown Bay City. The planetarium is located at 100 Center Ave. For more information about programs and events there, click here.
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