MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — Dakota Wesleyan University is setting up its portable planetarium inside the Corrigan Health Sciences Center for a free presentation on the summer sky Saturday.
There are three chances to catch the lecture from Dr. Joan Lubben. She tells Mitchell Now those in attendance can expect to learn about major constellations visible above South Dakota this time of year. In addition to stalwarts like the big and little dippers, she’ll cover the summer triangle, made up of Altair, Deneb, and Vega, some of the brightest stars around. Another focus will be on Hercules, a constellation that is defined by the Keystone asterism. Finally, time will be spent on the archer Sagittarius.
Professor Lubben is a teacher in the department of mathematics but has always maintained a love of astronomy. She took over the planetarium presentations with the retirement of Dr. Mike Farney. Lubben is only about six months into her run giving public talks on astronomy but says she has received a warm welcome. An email list touting future events is already over 40 people strong.
Saturday’s shows will be held at 2:00, 4:00, and 7:00 p.m. Lubben asks anyone attending to be prompt. Once the doors are closed on the pop-up planetarium, they will not be reopened for stragglers.