Bucknell Observatory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bucknell Observatory |
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| Organization | Bucknell University | ||||
| Location | Lewisburg, Pennsylvania | ||||
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Coordinates
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40°57.079′N 76°52.993′W / 40.951317°N 76.883217°W
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| Altitude | 561 feet (171 m) | ||||
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The Bucknell Observatory is a special place where scientists and students look at the stars and planets. It is an observatory, which is like a science lab for studying space. This observatory is owned by Bucknell University and is located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
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Exploring the Stars at Bucknell Observatory
The Bucknell Observatory helps people learn about the universe. It has a large telescope that lets students and professors see distant objects in space. This includes planets, stars, and galaxies.
What is an Observatory?
An observatory is a building or place used for observing events on Earth or in space. Astronomical observatories, like Bucknell's, are designed for studying the sky. They often have powerful telescopes. These tools help astronomers learn about the universe around us.
Learning About Space
Students at Bucknell University can take exciting classes at the observatory. These classes teach them how to study space using real scientific methods.
In 2019, for example, students learned about astrophysics. This is the part of astronomy that uses physics to understand how stars and planets work. One of the teachers was Professor Katelyn Allers. She is an astronomer who helped discover a "rogue planet." A rogue planet is a planet that travels through space without orbiting a star. The one she helped find is called PSO J318.5-22.
Thinking About the Future
In 2018, the observatory offered a class called "Physics for Future Leaders." This class was taught by Professor Brian Utter. It helped young people who want to make a difference think about big questions.
The class encouraged students to consider important topics. For example, they discussed how we can get energy that is good for our planet. They also thought about how our everyday choices can impact the world. Another big question was about exploring space. They talked about if it's possible to plan for humans to live on Mars, just like people planned to go to the Moon.
