A&M-Commerce Observatory open house Oct. 18

COMMERCE, TX—The Texas A&M University-Commerce Observatory is hosting an open house October 18 from 8-9:30 p.m., weather permitting. It is free and available for visitors of all ages.

“Many of the community members have requested an opportunity to once again visit the observatory and look through our telescopes,” said Cheri Davis, assistant planetarium director. “We’re excited our neighbors are interested in coming out to share in the wonders of the night sky.”

The observatory houses a number of telescopes. The largest is a 16-inch housed in a 12-foot dome. There will also be a couple of 10-inch telescopes and an 8-inch for use at the open house. The observatory is operated by the A&M-Commerce Planetarium and is utilized in conjunction with the astronomy classes and labs.

“Bring your family, a friend, or even a date and come early to see all the great wonders through the telescopes!” said Davis.

The observatory is located about five miles south of Commerce, off Highway 50, turn east on County Road 4208 and travel half a mile. The entrance is on the left.

For more information, go to

http://web.tamu-commerce.edu/communityOutreach/planetarium/observatory.aspx, or contact the astronomy department at 903-468-8650