Saturn to be Visible from JMU Astronomy Park

HARRISONBURG - The James Madison University Department of Physics and Astronomy invites the public and the JMU community to take a free and close-up view of Saturn from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the JMU Astronomy Park. 

Saturn, which is in the constellation Leo and joins Mars in the constellation Gemini, is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the solar system. The moon will also be visible in the east, and will be in a fairly large waxing gibbous phase. 

Those who come out to the astronomy park, on the grassy mall beside the Physics and Chemistry Building on JMU's campus east of Interstate 81, will be able to view Saturn through 10-inch telescopes. Binoculars also will be available to view the planet. 

Plenty of parking will be available in Lot D-2 across Carrier Drive from the Physics and Chemistry Building. A campus map is available at: https://www.jmu.edu/map/.