This FAQ was developed primarily to answer questions about the public open houses at the Belk Astronomical Observatory. Questions or comments can be addressed to sumerlin@lynchburg.edu.
How often do you have public 0pen houses?
Once a month.
How do I get tickets?
Tickets first become available at 6 p.m. on the first day of the month containing the open house. You should send e-mail to katherine.r.hix@gmail.com exactly at that time.
Are tickets available by phone?
No.
How much do the tickets cost?
Nothing. They are free.
How many total tickets do you make available?
32 tickets are available for each open house.
Why so few?
We want to provide the best possible viewing experience for our guests. Our small numbers allow us to do this.
How many tickets can I get at one time?
One person can request a maximum of four tickets.
Can I wait a day or two and still get tickets?
Probably not. Our 32 tickets are generally claimed in less than one minute.
What happens if I find I can't make it after I already have tickets?
You may give your tickets to someone else if you find you can't make it.
What happens if an open house is rained out?
If the weather on Friday night is unsuitable for viewing, we have an automatic rain date of the next night, Saturday. If the weather on that night is also unsuitable, then the open house for that month is cancelled.
Are my tickets for one month good for later open houses?
No. The ticket distribution process starts over for the next month.
What sorts of things can I expect to see?
It depends on the time of year and what might be visible. We always arrange our open house so that the moon is visible. In addition, you may see one or more planets, a globular cluster, a double star, a galaxy, a planetary nebula... We have a whole universe of objects from which to choose!
Will I need to wait in a long line to spend 30 seconds looking through a telescope?
No. Not only are our guest numbers small, we have multiple stations for viewing. Our four stations include naked-eye observing and constellation lore, ten pairs of astronomical binoculars, six 8-inch telescopes (each pointing to a different object), and the 20-inch Gilbert telescope. You will have time to savor the view and ask questions of your hosts.
Is there an age limit for who can come?
Not at either end! Parents will be the best judges of how long their children can be out at night without getting fussy, and senior citizens can judge their own capabilities. Viewing through the Gilbert telescope does require climbing some stairs in the dark, but we have volunteers who will help you both up and down.
Who is Margaret G.L. Gilbert, the person for whom the main telescope is named?
Margaret Gilbert was Dr. Neal Sumerlin's great-grandmother. Specifically, she was his mother's mother's mother! In the summer of 1954, when Dr. Sumerlin was just barely four years old, he was staying with his grandmother and Mrs. Gilbert while his parents were out of town. Mrs. Gilbert had an interest in and knowledge of astronomy, and she wanted to share that with her great-grandson. She let him stay up late that night, August 12, so he could watch the Perseid meteor shower that occurs every year on that date. It is one of his very earliest memories, quite vivid more than fifty years later. He traces his interest in space and astronomy to that night. Our main telescope is named in Mrs. Gilbert's honor. May it inspire countless others as she inspired one four-year-old boy!