The Discovery Center at Ridgefield, in conjunction with the New Pond Farm Observatory, 101 Marchant Road, West Redding, is hosting an astronomy program that is open to the public on Saturday, Sept. 6, starting at 8 p.m. “Saturn, with its ever magnificent rings, is truly one of the ten best natural wonders to see,” organizers said. There will be dramatic views of the craters, plains and mountains of our Moon. Various late summer constellations and the Milky Way will be pointed out and discussed. Mars has faded in brightness, and shrunk in appearance, since a close approach with Earth in April, but it is still a fun target to view through the telescopes.
Participants should bring a flashlight for the walk from the parking area to the observatory, and binoculars, if you have them. The program is $4 per person for Discovery Center members, with a maximum of $16 per family. For non-members, the charge is $6 per person, with a maximum of $24 per family. Registration is required. Visit ridgefielddiscovery.org to register or call 203-438-1063. The website also has a link for directions to New Pond Farm. If it looks as if the skies might be cloudy, check the website after 4 p.m. for program status.