MIDDLETOWN The Wesleyan University astronomy department for the spring semester is offering free public space viewing and science presentations every Wednesday night.

Wesleyan professors and astronomy students will guide the weekly sessions in an effort to make the complex world of space exploration and discovery more accessible to anyone interested in the subject.

"It's an opportunity for the public to learn about what's going on in space and an opportunity for them to interact with the people here at Wesleyan engaged in research," said Professor Meredith Hughes. "The audience is aimed at anyone interested in science and we want them to take away a new understanding about the science."

The sessions will be held rain or shine every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Van Vleck Observatory on campus on cloudy nights there will be no stargazing but presentations will still be held. There will also be special "Kids' Nights" on the first and third Friday of every month beginning on Feb. 20, where topics will be tailored for children.

Graduate student Jesse Shanahan will run the kids program, which will cover topics including the life cycle of a star, black holes, comets and an introduction to our solar system.

"Astronomy has an appeal for everyone because there's a fascination with stars, and people have a lot of questions," she said. "It's a great experience looking through a telescope at something that's very far away and seeing it up close."

The Wesleyan astronomy department already opens its doors to amateur stargazing groups like the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford, and holds monthly sessions for people to view the night sky through the school's telescopes.

Professor Roy Kilgard said the department's intent is to supplement its outreach to groups already interested and involved in science with new sessions for people who may not have a high level of knowledge about space and astronomy.

"We're really trying to grow it beyond looking through the telescopes," Kilgard said.

The department each semester has about 5 graduate students and 10 to 12 undergraduate students enrolled in astronomy degree programs.

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Wesleyan Hosting Free Weekly Astronomy Sessions In Middletown