Learn about the galactic center, see Jupiter, at free open house

KOKOMO, Ind. - Learn more about efforts to study a supermassive black hole 27,000 light years from earth at Indiana University Kokomo's free Observatory open house on Sunday (March 8).

Patrick Motl, professor of physics, will begin the open house at 8 p.m. with recent news and updates in astronomy, including a presentation on the galactic center including a supermassive black hole and efforts to map a challenging part of the sky to see.

After the presentation, stargazers may be able to see Jupiter and the winter constellations through the Observatory's telescopes, weather permitting. They include a six-inch Takahashi refracting telescope and a 16-inch Meade reflecting telescope mounted together. The Takahashi provides exceptionally sharp images of planets, while the Meade allows viewers to see fainter objects in the sky, due to its larger light-collecting area.

Observation will continue through 10 p.m., weather permitting.

The Observatory is at 2660 S. Washington Street. Free parking is available on campus.

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.