MSU to Host Comet Viewing Friday

STARKVILLE, Miss.–Comet Lovejoy should be glowing at fourth magnitude when Mississippi State’s E.I. Howell Observatory opens Friday [Jan. 16] for public viewing.

The free experience will be available 6-8 p.m. In addition to Lovejoy–a giant, greenish ice ball some 50 million miles from Earth now visible in the southern sky. Other heavenly bodies on display will include the Orion nebula and planet Jupiter.

Part of the university’s physics and astronomy department, Howell Observatory is located on the grounds of MSU’s South Farm, also known as the Leveck Animal Research Center.

Assistant professor Angelle Tanner will be on hand to answer questions and provide insights about what viewers are seeing. Tanner said those attending are encouraged to dress warmly. Inclement weather or clouds will cancel the event.

To reach the facility, stargazers should take Starkville’s Blackjack Road from state Highway 12 to the Stone Boulevard intersection, then turn south onto Stone Boulevard Extended and follow signs to the site.

For more information, visit http://www2.msstate.edu/~at876/Howell.html, or contact Tanner at 662-325-4112 or at876@msstate.edu.

MSU, Mississippi’s flagship research university, is available online at www.msstate.edu, facebook.com/msstate, instagram.com/msstate and twitter.com/misstate.

Categories: Local News

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