What is this bright red dot in the sky? His Mars. Take a closer look at the Rowan Planetarium

The Edelman Planetarium and the College of Science and Mathematics of Rowan University will hold special events marking March in opposition on Tuesday, July 31, from 8 am to 11 pm. in Science Hall on the Glassboro Campus

Mars will reach the opposition – meaning that it is positioned directly in front of the Sun in the sky – this summer, making it brighter than it is. has not been in years. For a period of about two months, Mars will supplant Jupiter as the fourth most brilliant celestial body, after the Sun, the Moon, and Venus. The reign of Mars as the fourth most brilliant celestial body will last from July 7th to September 7th.

Rowan will host an open house special observation to see this show that takes place every two years and every 50 days. The evening's activities include two brief (and free) shows at the Edelman Planetarium, a guest speaker, hands-on activities, and night sky observations (weather permitting). Practical activities include creating a ladder-scale model of the solar system and the role of "Mission Control" while trying to "drive" a Mars Rover through a predefined course.

Two free planetarium shows will be presented at 8 and 8:30 pm in the Edelman Planetarium. Practical demonstrations on the planets will be available in the atrium of the Science Hall throughout the event. At 9 pm, the chairman of the Department of Physics and Astronomy of Rowan University and Mars resident expert, Dr. David Klassen, will make a special presentation on Mars.

The meeting will begin at 9:00 pm on the roof of the science room. The telescopes will be installed on the observation deck on the roof, accessible by the west lift. The 0.4m research telescope will also be open to the public.

The faculty and members of the student-run astronomy club will use the telescopes and assist the visitors. The Mars, Jupiter and Saturn planets will be visible all night with the double Albireo star and so much more.

This rain-and-shine event is free and open to the public. In case of bad weather, the meeting will be canceled, but all other events will continue as planned.