Stargazing parties

Morgan County Observa-tory Foundation is hosting public star parties this Friday evening, March 16, and also next Friday, March 23 beginning at 8 p.m. at the observatory on the grounds of Greenwood elementary school.

With clear skies, participants should be able to see the planets Venus, Mars, Jupiter and its four Galilean moons, the double cluster in Perseus, the Great Orion nebula and the Andromeda galaxy with the help of the three ton 16” aperture cassegrain telescope.

Dress for the weather as the observing room where the telescope resides is not heated or cooled. Also, will be going outside for short periods to conduct a constellation tour of the night sky.

Movies, refreshments and hands on astronomy activities help make the evening for people of all ages.

Town of Bath Tourism Fund generously supports the observatory. MCOF is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit and all donations are fully tax deductible. Consider holding a private star party for friends, family or organization or giving a gift donation in the name of a loved one.

For more information about MCOF and the full year’s calendar of events, call 304-258-1013.
From Berkeley Springs go two miles south on Rt 522, take a left on Rt. 13 Winchester Grade Rd. travel 9.5 miles, on the left, next to Greenwood School.