University Times

Pitt’s Allegheny Observatory will host a lecture series and public tours between April and November.

Curious sky gazers can roam the landmark observatory, peer at the stars through the observatory’s oldest telescope and hear experts elaborate on supernovae, dark energy and asteroids.

Twice-weekly observatory tours are planned. Friday night tours run April 4-Oct. 31; Thursday night tours begin May 1 and end Aug. 21. The two-hour tours begin at 8 p.m. and include a film presentation followed by a walking tour and a look through the 13-inch Fitz-Clark Refractor telescope constructed in 1861. The Fitz-Clark was the primary telescope for the first observatory and the third-largest telescope in the world when it was constructed. The telescope enabled a number of early breakthroughs in astronomy, including visual proof that Saturn’s rings comprise orbiting particulates.

The observatory also hosts a public lecture every third Friday of the month through November, with the next lecture scheduled for April 18. The lecture series features astronomers and physicists from Pitt and other institutions. Topics include putting asteroids to use, looking into deep space and the significance of supernovae in creating new stars.

Evenings begin with refreshments at 7 p.m.; lectures start at 7:30 p.m., followed by a tour of the observatory.

All events are free, but reservations are required. To make a reservation, call the observatory at 412/321-2400 between 1 and 5 p.m. Reservations for tours can include up to 45 people, including school groups. For lectures, the limit is six people per reservation.

The observatory is located at 159 Riverview Ave. in Riverview Park on the North Side. For event schedules and details, visit the observatory web site at www.pitt.edu/~aobsvtry/tours.html.