Interstellar comet topic of December Observatory open house

KOKOMO, Ind. - Learn more about a recently-discovered interstellar comet during the December free Observatory open house at Indiana University Kokomo on Sunday, December 14.

Patrick Motl, professor of physics, will begin the open house at 7 p.m. with discussion of
comet 3I/ATLAS, the third known object people have found that did not originate in the solar system.

"Looking forward, being able to recognize and eventually explore interstellar objects like 3I/Atlas will be the best way we can learn about other solar systems," Motl said.

The comet is being observed by NASA, The European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency.

After the presentation, stargazers may be able to see Saturn and then Jupiter with winter constellation highlights like the Orion Nebula through the Observatory's telescopes. They include a six-inch Takahashi refracting telescope and a 16-inch Meade reflecting telescope mounted together. The Takahashi provides exceptionally sharp images of planets, while the Meade allows viewers to see fainter objects in the sky, due to its larger light-collecting area.
Observation will continue through 9 p.m., weather permitting.

The Observatory is at 2660 S. Washington Street. Free parking is available on campus.

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.