Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Offers 'Diamonds in the Sky' and 'Astro Amore'

NGC 1977 - Running Man Nebula

This is an image of NGC 1977,also called The Running Man Nebula, which is part of the Orion nebula. Noted astrophotographer Adam Block used the UA's 24-inch Mount Lemmon SkyCenter telescope to take this image. (Arizona Board of Regents, Adam Block, Mount Lemmon SkyCenter, University of Arizona)

Visitors can sign up for astronomical observing throughout February.

By Lori Stiles, University Communications January 29, 2009

There are more gems and minerals to be enjoyed in Tucson in February than those in the world-famous Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.

The night sky is also filled with rare gems and interesting rocks.

The University of Arizona Mount Lemmon SkyCenter is offering a special public program, "Diamonds in the Sky," on Sunday, Feb. 8.

Visitors will use the SkyCenter's 24-inch telescope on the 9,157-foot summit of Mount Lemmon to view stars that sparkle sapphire-blue and ruby-red, and stars with cores that, like diamonds, are pure carbon. Visitors also will hold rocks that have literally dropped from the sky, pieces of asteroids that fell to Earth from space.

Diamonds in the Sky" is just one special program UA's Mount Lemmon SkyCenter has scheduled for February.

Other special public programs next month include two "Astro Amore" evenings that celebrate Valentine's Day, a "Moon Impact" night that provides image data for a moon shot that NASA will launch in April, and an International Year of Astronomy 2009 Image Unveiling to be held at UA's Biosphere 2.

The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter is open by reservation for observing every night in February, either as part of the ongoing "SkyNights" observing program or the special observing program, said Adam Block, the SkyCenter public observing program coordinator.

The program costs $48 and reservations can be made by telephone, 520-626-8122, or by e-mail, skycenter@as.arizona.edu.

The Mount Lemmon SkyCenter's February schedule:

  • Feb. 1 through Feb. 25, "SkyNights," the hands-on observing program where visitors learn how to use star charts and view the evening sky with binoculars and through the eyepiece of the 24-inch telescope.
  • Feb. 8 "Diamonds in the Sky"
  • Feb. 10 "Moon Impact"
  • Feb. 13 "Astro Amore"
  • Feb. 14 "Astro Amore"
  • Feb. 15 "Discovery Days"
  • Feb. 21 "International Year of Astronomy 2009 Image Unveiling" at Biosphere 2

Et Cetera