Did you see Comet NEOWISE as it flew by the Earth over the past few months? Did you notice that it seemed to be flying “backward” as it passed the Big Dipper? Have you been watching Jupiter and Saturn moving side-by-side through Sagittarius in the evening skies? Did you know that Mars is nearing its closest Earth approach when it will be brighter than Jupiter? Are you aware that numerous robotic missions have been sent to comets? Join us virtually for an evening of astronomy to learn more!

Join Dr. Edmund Stark of MSU St. Andrews for a presentation focused on comets: what they are, where they come from, how they have appeared throughout history, and why they behave as they do!

Dr. Stark will share how very different their motions can be. Some, like Halley’s Comet, appear regularly, while others may never return. He will tell the stories of astronomers who discovered comets and helped to increase our understanding.

As always, he will show you how to find the planets and other cool things currently in the sky this month and next. Finally, the “technology highlights” portion will describe some of the missions.

Photo credit Sherri Yezbick-Taylor Photography, Greenbush, Michigan.