In Mid January, Saturn and Venus pass near each other in the winter sky – a magical event.

Thom Espinola, Glaxo-Wellcome Professor of Physics, will make a multimedia public presentation about the event in the Joseph M. Bryan Jr. ’60 Auditorium of Frank Family Science Center Saturday, Jan. 25, at 6 pm.

Following the presentation, Don Smith, Raymond Binford Professor of Physics, will lead visual and telescopic observing from the J. Donald Cline ’78 Observatory deck, weather permitting.

This is a splendid opportunity to view the two bright planets in the early evening. As the year continues to progress, Saturn’s rings will continue to disappear so that by early spring they will have completely vanished.

The Physics Department holds open house programs periodically throughout the academic year.

As usual, the Jan. 25 programs are free, no tickets required, and families are welcomes.