NEWS

CHAPEL HILL -- Mars is making its closest approach to Earth in 60,000 years, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has planned observation sessions designed to allow local skywatchers an opportunity to make the most of the moment.

The university’s department of physics and astronomy and Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will sponsor special free observation sessions Tuesday (Aug. 26) through Aug. 30 every 30 minutes beginning at 9:30 p.m., with the last session starting at 11:30 p.m. Those interested in attending must pick up tickets at the Morehead Center box office beginning Saturday (Aug. 23) during regular business hours. Tickets are limited and will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets will not be available by phone or the Web, only in person at the Morehead Center box office. Those receiving tickets are asked to arrive at the Morehead Observatory at least five minutes before the time marked on the ticket.

At the observatory, some participants will have the opportunity to see Mars through the 24-inch telescope housed in the Morehead Center’s dome. Planetarium staff members also will set up smaller telescopes on the observing decks outside for the other participants. Graduate students and faculty members from the department of physics and astronomy will be on hand to assist and answer questions, and members of both the Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observing Society and the Raleigh Astronomy Club will be present with their telescopes.

Tickets will not be exchanged in the event of bad weather.

In conjunction with the Mars approach, the Morehead Center will host a special planetarium program, "Carolina Skies: Mars," at 9:30 p.m., 10 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, and $3 for children, seniors and students. Show tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance.

The UNC department of physics and astronomy offers free weekly guest nights at the observatory during the academic year. For more information, click on www.physics.unc.edu/about/guest_night.php.

For more information on the Morehead Center (including box office hours), click on www.moreheadplanetarium.org.

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Department of physics and astronomy contact: Jane Moran, (919) 962-5310 or moranj@physics.unc.edu