The Scobee Planetarium and the San Antonio Astronomical Association will host a "Saturn Night Live" Observing Session on Saturday, February 4, near the San Antonio College Observatory in the adjacent parking lot.
"On January 27, Saturn will be at its closest to Earth and the brightest it will be in the sky for all of 2006," said Bryan Snow, Planetarium Coordinator. Snow added, "The views at the beginning of February will be just as good, but the planet will be higher in the sky and easier to see earlier in the evening." He said views through a telescope will show the "spectacular rings" surrounding Saturn, the second largest of planets. He said about two dozen telescopes from the San Antonio Astronomical Association will be set up in the surrounding parking lot and will be available to people free of charge.
"Families are encouraged to bring their children to witness these magnificent sights," said Snow. He said other viewing targets during the evening will include the planet Mars, the first quarter Moon, and a variety of stars and bright nebulae.
The telescopes will be available from 6 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Parking is free, located one block east of San Pedro Ave. off W. Park. If it is cloudy or raining, the observing session will be cancelled. For more information, call the Scobee Planetarium at 733-2910.
