Observatories hold monthlong Galileo celebration

By Faye Flam

Inquirer Staff Writer

Four hundred years ago, Galileo Galilei fashioned a telescope from eyeglass lenses and a piece of lead pipe and used it to change humanity's perception of its place in the universe. He discovered that Jupiter had its own moons, and that our moon had its own mountains and valleys. He was the first to see that the Milky Way was made of millions of stars.

Every night for the coming month, residents of the Philadelphia region can see these sights and more through telescopes much more powerful than Galileo's homemade contraption. As part of a program called No Night Without a Telescope, eight local institutions will host free observing nights until Nov. 24.

Haverford College astronomer Bruce Partridge dreamed up the event as Philadelphia's answer to a worldwide Galileo celebration called the International Year of Astronomy. "The hope is that everyone who wants to look through a telescope will be able to do so," he said.

On clear nights, visitors will be able to see Jupiter and its major moons. Luckily, the solar system's largest planet is now prominent in the night sky. They will also see features on the lunar surface - except during the new-moon nights (Oct. 18-20 and Nov. 14-18).

Galileo also discovered that Venus goes through phases, just like the moon, but unfortunately our neighbor toward the sun won't be visible until the wee hours of the morning in October and November.

But there should be plenty of other sights to see. Astronomers and students hosting the events will not only replicate what they can of Galileo's observations, but will observe other objects - including the Orion Nebula and the galaxy M31.

They may also take requests, Partridge said.