RIT Observatory Hosts Open House April 13

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This map previews the night sky for 9 p.m. April 13, and the RIT Observatory’s next open house.

Sky gazers are invited to the Rochester Institute of Technology Observatory’s open house on April 13 to view Venus, Mars and Saturn. The event will be held 8­–10 p.m.—weather permitting—with a rain date on April 14.

“Venus—a fat crescent—will be low in the western sky and Mars will be a bright but tiny red disk,” says Michael Richmond, professor of physics and director of the RIT Observatory. “Saturn and its rings will be rising in the east. We’ll also give people a chance to see a galaxy or two.”

The main telescopes at the observatory include a 14-inch Celestron and a 12-inch Meade, both mounted on piers inside the domes. Smaller telescopes on tripods will be set up to increase viewing options.

Heavy clouds and inclement weather will postpone night sky watching. Go to the observatory’s home page at the RIT's College of Science website to check the status of the event.

“If it’s cloudy, please stay home and try us next time,” Richmond says.

The observatory is located at 645 John St., near the intersection with Bailey Road. For more information, contact Michael Richmond at mwrsps@rit.edu, or go to the observatory’s home page at RIT's College of Science website.