Watch CBS News

Stargazers Get In Their Element Throughout The Region

PHILADELHIA (CBS) - The weather conditions were ideal for the Philadelphia Science Festival's Astronomy Night Saturday, taking place at dozens of locations throughout Center City and the suburbs.

One of those spots was the Independence Seaport Museum, where Al Bruno helped stargazers see what's happening in the night sky.

"The whole idea is really to make telescope observation accessible to everyone," he tells KYW Newsradio. "It's a really fantastic way to get into science. You get to use an awesome tool, you get to see something amazing."

Jupiter and the moon were the main attractions on this particular night. Bruno says the images are so crisp, some even think they're looking at a photo:

"People get really excited when they see these things. They don't expect it to be as clear and vivid. They think we're playing a trick on them but we're not, that's what they see."

Astronomy Night
12-year-old Ian Leak taking part in Astronomy Night. credit cbs

12-year-old Ian Leak was also helping out. He says people always seem to be amazed at what they see:

"They're surprised, they come back for more a lot. I feel like a lot of people haven't seen this so it's just completely mindblowing."

He's been interested in astronomy for as long as he can remember:

"No matter how many times I see it, it's always still interesting because it's always different. It's just pretty."

Those attending Astronomy Night also got to make their own star wheel and navigation tools, and launch an alka-rocket.

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.