See the Red Planet at Jones Observatory

Your Mars planet-gazing party on the night of Wednesday, August 27 could be made extra special with a visit to the University’s Jones Observatory on Tuxedo Avenue in Brainerd.

Doors of the Jones Observatory will open at 9 p.m., but a Mars sighting probably will not occur before 10 p.m., according to Jack Pitkin, operations manager of the observatory. During the first hour, Pitkin will offer visitors a tour, and a program will be presented on “The Latest from Mars.”

Pitkin says weather conditions will set the tone for viewing Mars, but the staff will be flexible. He says if the night sky is clear, the observatory may be open until dawn.

Beginning November 2 the observatory will be open Sundays at 5:30 p.m. for a lecture followed by a planetarium show at 6 p.m.