"The Winter Sky" Astronomy Open House at Penn State Behrend February 2, 2011

How many stars make up the Pleiades cluster? Are the stars in Orion young, or old? Is Sirius really brighter than the North Star?

Dr. Darren Williams, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, will answer these questions and more when he presents the Open House Night in Astronomy program “The Winter Sky” on Wednesday, Feb. 2.

This free, nontechnical presentation suitable for ages 8 and up will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. in 101 Otto Behrend Science Building. Williams will discuss the stars and constellations found in the February sky, and offer an in-depth look at the brightest and most familiar objects. Astronomical observing from the Otto Behrend terrace will follow the presentation, weather permitting.

Open House Nights in Astronomy are an outreach service of the School of Science at Penn State Behrend. For additional information, phone the School at 814-898-6105.