A crowd of more than 200 people arrived on the roof of Smith Lab on Saturday evening to experience the sights of the night sky through a telescope. This public star party was hosted by the Department of Astronomy at Ohio State in order to participate in the 100 Hours of Astronomy event.

“100 Hours of Astronomy is a worldwide celebration of astronomy, featuring public star parties and live research and observatory webcasts,” said Jennifer Johnson, an assistant professor for the Department of Astronomy.

This global event is part of a larger project established by the International Astronomy Union’s announcement that 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy.

Johnson is one of the leading participants in OSU’s involvement in this worldwide commemoration.

“The International Year of Astronomy marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s telescope, and one of the primary goals is to have as many people as possible look through a telescope and see the sights that Galileo saw, in particular the craters on the Moon and the rings of Saturn,” she said. “We are hosting this event because we wanted to give Ohioans the chance to experience the wonders of the Solar System through the telescope and understand the revolution in astronomy that Galileo started, as part of this worldwide celebration.”

People of all ages from across the county came to witness the sight of the moon and Saturn’s rings through OSU’s 12-inch telescope. In addition to the 12-inch telescope, 6-inch and 8-inch telescopes were also set up to give people a chance to experience the sky through different magnifications. The event also served as an opportunity for the public to talk with professors, graduate students and undergraduates about life, the universe and a variety of other topics.

“I have found that astronomy gives me a deeper connection with myself and the world around me,” said Alex McConahay, a participant at the event. Astronomy is a hobby for McConahay, who has a collection of more than a dozen telescopes that he allows the public to observe through. “I am very excited about the International Year of Astronomy and the prospects it holds for increasing the public’s awareness of the rewarding experiences that astronomy observation can give a person.”

This event was unique because it was in celebration of the International Year of Astronomy; however, the department hosts weekly observing nights each quarter that present students with the same opportunity to experience the view through OSU telescopes. The department also hosts shows in the university’s planetarium on the fifth floor of Smith Lab. For more information on observing nights visit astronomy.ohio-state.edu/~headta/roof/.

Jessica Orwig can be reached at [email protected].