The Springfield Science Museum's large rooftop telescope will be open for public sky-gazing on Friday, January 5, at 7:30 p.m. The featured speaker will be Springfield Stars Club vice president Michael Kozicki, who will preview the most striking celestial objects and events of 2007, including a total lunar eclipse that will occur on March 3.
The museum's giant 20-inch telescope will focus on the beautiful ringed planet Saturn, weather permitting. Through this instrument, the planet's rings and largest moons are easily visible. Saturn is currently being studied at close range by NASA's Cassini spacecraft. The program will be held rain or shine. If it is overcast, a planetarium show will be presented in the Seymour Planetarium in the Science Museum. Stars Over Springfield programs are offered on the first Friday of each month and are best suited for families with children ages 8 and older. However, younger children are also welcome. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children 17 and under.