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Kate Knickerbocker of Eau Claire looks through a special telescope Saturday afternoon for Astronomy Day. Nathan Miller, professor of physics and astronomy, explains what she sees.

Exploring the outer limits of the universe

Astronomy Day in its third year on the Eau Claire campus, gives public a glimpse of outer space

By: Kastenson, Dana

Posted: 5/8/06

In a galaxy far, far away, planets, stars and other astronomical bodies came down to planet Earth Saturday for Astronomy Day at Phillips Science hall.

Director of the L.E. Phillips Planetarium and associate professor of physics and astronomy Lauren Likkel said this has been the third year UW-Eau Claire has hosted the event. However, she said, members of the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society do most of the work.

Likkel said the event allows the university and the Astronomical Society to reach out to the public.

"We want people to be inspired more about astronomy, meet the needs of the community and to welcome an opportunity to learn more," she said.

This year's event featured free planetarium shows, such as one that gave a glimpse of the way stars are formed, live their lives and die.

Attendees also saw the Dream Odyssey Space Shuttle, an ordinary school bus transformed into a model a NASA shuttle.

Other displays included a scale model of the Mars Exploration Rover, three-dimensional computer images of the planet and NASA film about the discovery of news stars.

Outside, demonstrations on safe solar observation took place, using special telescopes and specially made observing equipment using mirrors and white pieces of paper.

Nathan Miller, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, was on hand to demonstrate the equipment.

He said that while it is dangerous to look at the sun through a regular telescope, using a special filter can make it safe to observe the sun.

Miller said studying the sun is especially interesting.

"The sun changes every day, while other nebulae will be the same," he said. "The sun that you see today could be different tomorrow with its constant solar storms."

For senior Cory Galston, a student volunteer at the planetarium, Astronomy Day was a good way for people, especially children, to learn more about outer space.

"It's a good way for kids to learn more about astronomy," she said.