Keep focused at free telescope clinic

Telescopes and binoculars, often considered windows to the universe, allow average sky-watchers to see stars of different colors, brightness and those with partners called doubles. More exotic objects, such as star clusters, nebula and galaxies, also are readily visible with magnification.

To help people gain a closer look at the heavens, members of the Penobscot Valley Star Gazers will host a free telescope help clinic noon-6 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium, Wingate Hall, University of Maine.

Club members will have various telescope models on display to show which styles best fit individual needs and budgets. All are invited to bring along their own telescopes if they would like Star Gazer club members to help with the use of the equipment or to use it at an evening stargazing party after the clinic, from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Jordan Observatory. The stargazing party also is free.

“If you have had trouble with equipment or just want to better understand how it can be used, drop by,” said Alan Davenport, director of the planetarium. The Jordan Observatory is behind the Memorial Union on the Orono campus.

Everyone is welcome to drop by anytime during the clinic to hear club members explain how to best observe galaxies, stars, planets and their moons. They also will explain how to note seasonal changes, and the Jordan Planetarium will run free sky tours to help sky watchers brush up on the constellations.

With eyes only, stargazers can see stars forming dramatic constellation characters of ancient lore and the moon going through its phases to reveal its surface features, in addition to meteor showers, northern lights and the five classical planets.

Amateur telescopes on the market today, ranging in price from $40 to thousands of dollars and weighing from 10 pounds to more than 100 pounds, magnify the experience. During the afternoon clinic, club members will explain how to compare various telescope models.

Parking for the Jordan Observatory is available in the Maine Center for the Arts parking lot. For information, call Alan Davenport at 581-1341.