Director of the Emory Planetarium and Observatory We’re going to try again! Many of you will recall our January 28th attempt to show off the winter skies ended with an icy blast of winter weather. Even though over a hundred hearty souls ventured to the Planetarium that evening for lively discussion and a planetarium show, many more were unable to attend due to freezing rain. But now, fortified by the warmth of spring and with the help of Christiaan Huygens, (more about him later), we’re ready.  Orion Nebula, Emory University Observatory. Photo: H. Dale Just drop into the Planetarium any time between 8:00 and 11:00 PM to see a dramatic, live-video feed of stunning celestial objects direct from Emory’s 24-inch reflecting telescope. Then, go up to the roof-top observation deck to gaze at them through small telescopes set up for your viewing pleasure.  Moreover, the Cassinni spacecraft that now circles Saturn dropped a flying saucer-shaped instrument package, named the Huygens probe, onto Titan in January. We should mention that Christiaan’s birthday is April 14, so please expect a bit of a birthday celebration to honor one of the most important scientists of his day. At the very least, we’ll give you the latest update on bizarre Titan compliments of the Huygens probe. Members of the Physics Department and the Emory Astronomy Club will be on hand throughout the evening to answer your questions. (There’s a good chance members of the Astronomy Club will have goodies for sale to benefit the Club’s activities, and we’re hoping to line up some musical surprises.) So, please join us for a relaxing and inspiring evening to celebrate this spring. Just drop in any time between 8:00 and 11:00 PM and stay as long as you like. Please note: Viewing is, as always, weather dependent but the Titan update program and Christiaan Huygen’s 376th birthday will take place rain or shine. Recommended Links: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/12jan_saturn.htm?list479659 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4282990 http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.cfm http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/Bios/huygens.html 
Artists Concept: Huygens probe at Titan—from http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/operations/huygens-mission.cfm If
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