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RSS FeedsWelcome to the website of the Cody Middle School Observatory. In here you can find some of the latest images from our collection of telescopes. The observatory contains a 14" Celestron telescope and several other smaller telescopes which help expand the 8th grade student's knowledge and fascination of the universe. For more information about the facility click on the "About" link on the on the navigation pane to the left. [Read more about the observatory]
The facility is primarily available for use within the school district but is also available for use by other groups and organizations. Pete Idema is the manager of the observatory and Amos Olson and Brian and Brandon Reavis manage the website. Enjoy!
Get ready for quite a show the evening of Wednesday, February 20, 2008. For the third time in the last 12 months the moon will experience a total lunar eclipse for viewers in North America. Be sure not miss this since it will be the last one we will see until December 20, 2010! As the shine from the full moon turns to a deep orange you can enjoy golden Saturn which lies near the eclipsed moon.
The eclipse begins at 6:43 p.m. MST when the moon just begins to slip into Earth\'s shadow. Totality begins at 8:01 p.m. and continues for 51 minutes wrapping up at 8:52 p.m. MST. The moon will slip out of Earth\'s shadow over the following 78 minutes.
Weather permitting, the CMS Observatory will be open from 7 - 9 p.m. if folks would like to drop by for a look at the eclipsed moon and other celestial objects.
If you happen to be reading this on Monday, Nov. 26th then be sure to look for the moon in the east around 8 or 9 pm. The bright reddish looking star is actually the planet Mars! They should make a beautiful pairing tonight.
Lets hope for a clear night on November 17th and the early morning hours of the 18th for the Leonid Meteor shower. Earth passes through the trail of comet 55P/Temple-Tuttle at this time and specks of debris from the comet enter our atmosphere and, as they burn up, give off the streaks of light we call meteors. For the best viewing look to the constellation Leo the lion on the night/morning of November 17/18.
In the eastern pre-dawn darkness of Sunday, October 7th, Venus, Saturn, the Moon, and the star Regulus in Leo put on quite a show as they are all within a couple degrees of each other.
Clear Sky Clock