Observatory event to explore the vast distances of space

Come to the Lake Afton Public Observatory this fall for the program “How Far Is Far?” from 7:30-10 p.m. Oct. 1-2, 8-9 and 29-30; Nov. 5-6 and 26-27; and Dec. 3-4.

Visitors will learn about the enormous distances to objects in the sky, such as Jupiter, a multiple star system and a nearby galaxy. They will also learn how those distances are measured.

On evenings when the moon is available for viewing, the observatory will present “The Moon and Gas Giants,” from 7:30-10 p.m. Oct. 15-16 and 22-23; Nov. 12-13 and 19-20; and Dec. 10-11 and 17-18

Visitors can use LAPO’s big telescope to take a close look at the various features of the moon’s surface and the gas-giant planets Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune as the staff discusses the similarities and differences between them.

Lake Afton Public Observatory is operated by the Fairmount Center for Science and Mathematics Education, a part of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Science at Wichita State University.