A night to eclipse all others

Please find the below Guest Post written by Stella Hart and Nicki Mittelbrun who are students at Drake University, studying Public Relations.

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Looking for a date night that’s out of this world — but don’t know how to planet?

Drake University’s Municipal Observatory astronomy lecture series is the answer.

Every Friday at 9 p.m. through July 15, Drake Astronomy Lecturer Herbert Schwartz gives a short illustrated presentation at the observatory located at 4898 Observatory Rd. in Waveland Park in Des Moines. After each lecture, attendees have the opportunity to observe celestial objects through the observatory’s refracting telescope and reflecting telescopes.

Make a night of it

To ward off a black hole in your stomach, gravitate to the Star Bar — 2881 Ingersoll Ave. — and enjoy a Star Bar Burger. Then, before the lecture takes-off, visit Mars Café, 2318 University Ave. and pick up a Moonwalker Mocha to sipwhile enjoying the presentation.

Upcoming lecture: Over the Moon

Each lecture this summer orbits the theme “Moons and Minor Worlds.” Topics range from the rings of Saturn to how moons are named. This week, the discussion will focus on the origin of moons and how humans have studied and explored them.

When: 9 p.m. every Friday through July 15.

Where: 4898 Observatory Rd., Des Moines (Access Waveland Golf Course via Polk Blvd.)

Cost: Free and open to the public.

Info:The programs are held regardless of the weather, although the selection for observation is subject to change due to sky conditions or other special circumstances. For more information, contact Drake’s Department of Physics and Astronomy at 515-271-3141.