Stargazing at Blinn

                Stargazers are invited to Schulenburg for another special evening devoted to the night skies Nov. 8 from 7-9:30 p.m., at the historic Schaefer Observatory on Blinn College’s Schulenburg campus.

Blinn astronomy instructor Gordon Houston will again be on hand to assist with the 14-inch telescope and inform partygoers about the universe’s stars, galaxies and constellations. Admission is free and open to the public. As always, the event is dependent on the weather. Party goers are encouraged to wear jackets and comfortable shoes and to bring lawn chairs. The observatory sits behind the main building on the Schulenburg campus at 100 Ranger Drive, and participants should park in the Black Street parking lot.

The October Star Party had perfect weather and hosted an estimated 50 stargazers for the viewing. Two shooting stars even made an appearance in the clear night sky.

The Schaefer Observatory was built in the 1940s by local hardware store owner H.P. Schaefer and his sons, because Mr. Schaefer wanted to see the mountains and craters on the moon. The 27-foot tall galvanized metal dome is 12 feet in diameter and revolves 360 degrees on a pipe track that is operated manually.

In 1991, the family donated the observatory to the Schulenburg school district, which replaced boards around the lower portion, applied acid to remove the rust, and painted the dome with reflective paint. Blinn College received the observatory in 2008 and has restored it further. It now sits behind the main building on the Schulenburg campus and houses community education astronomy classes, periodic star parties and is also available for private events.

            For more information on star parties, Blinn’s Schaefer Observatory, or for information on additional community and workforce education classes, call the Schulenburg campus at 979-743-5237.