University of Utah Observatories South Physics Observatory www.physics.utah.edu/observatory W.L. Eccles Observatory www.physics.utah.edu/weo M45 - Pleiades Open Cluster with faint nebula.
StarBase Observatory www.physics.utah.edu/starbase
South Physics Observatory The Universe At Your Fingertips
Gamma Ray Astronomy/VERITAS www.physics.utah.edu/gammaray Telescope Array www.telescopearray.org W.M. Keck Observatory www.telescopearray.org/tara/index.html The Sun Active Region 953 in Ha, High resolution image of AR 953 taken on 4-27-07 . This is 11 images taken in Hydrogen Alpha wavelengths through a Coronodo PST
M33 The Whirlpool Galaxy All photos courtesy of Paul Ricketts & the South Physics Observatory
201 James Fletcher Bldg. 115 South 1400 East Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0830 (801) 581-6901
Dept of Physics & Astronomy
University of Utah www.physics.utah.edu www.physics.utah.edu www.astro.utah.edu www.astro.utah.edu
South Physics Observatory
Community Outreach
The South Physics observatory serves as the only public observatory in the Salt Lake valley. The observatory is also a classroom for the University’s Observational Astronomy courses, weekly public star parties, as well as for scout, student & youth group tours.
Whether it be at your local school or our observatory, we can host star and solar parties for you and your group ranging from 15-100+ participants. Is there a community event that you would like us to take part in? Let us know and we’ll be glad to come! We can bring some displays or telescopes to help out. We can set up a booth at your science activity or your city festival.
Observatory History There has been an observatory of some type for nearly a century at the University of Utah. The first observatory (at left) was built around 1915. It was later torn down to make room for the James Fletcher Building (JFB). The current observatory, built around 1970, sits on the roof of the South Physics building, just south of JFB. In 2001, the W. L. Eccles Foundation donated funds for new telescopes, cameras, a spectrograph, and other items for the observatory. More recently, new mounts and housings were installed for the telescopes. For a complete list of our telescopes, visit us at www.physics.utah.edu/observatory
Observational Astronomy Courses PHYS 2060/4060 & ASTR 2060/4060 Observational astronomy focuses on exploring the cosmos through data analysis, telescope instruction, astrophotography, and astronomy research. These courses are appropriate for both amateur and experienced astronomers. Photos courtesy of Paul Ricketts & the South Physics Observatory
During the star parties, we will show your group planets, stars, galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and any other celestial events that we can find. Short constellation tours and explanations of what objects you’re seeing can be given at the telescopes or shortly before. Our solar parties will show your group the sun through both neutral density and hydrogen alpha filtered telescopes for viewing
Free public Star Parties take place every clear Wednesday night at the South Physics observatory. Star parties typically start one hour before dusk in the summer and 7:00pm in the winter.
Group Tours The Physics & Astronomy Department provides tours of the observatory for local youth groups, grades K-12 and all Girl Scout & Boy Scout troops. The presentation and telescope visit provides the information needed for Boy Scouts to obtain their astronomy belt loop. For scheduling, arrangement for tours or private Star Parties, please contact us at observatory@physics.utah.edu Public, scout & youth group tours are free of charge but donations are welcome.
sunspots and solar flares. We will briefly explain what these are to your group and answer any questions they may have. Combine this with our short presentation on the Sun and know exactly what you are looking for when at the telescope.
All tours and star parties are subject to weather and availability. Before traveling, please visit the observatory website to confirm the observatory will be open.
Weekly Star Parties
To learn more visit: www.physics.utah.edu/observatory
Star parties are a great family-friendly activity designed to both entertain and educate. A wide variety of activities are available for all age and skill levels, from casual observer to advanced astronomer. Those interested are invited to bring their own cameras, binoculars, and telescopes.
or contact us at: observatory@physics.utah.edu www.physics.utah.edu www.astro.utah.edu