Michelle Calcagno looks at Jupiter through the 24-inch Clark Telescope at Lowell Observatory on Oct. 11. Chad Sexton / The Lumberjack

People from all around the country came to Flagstaff for Autumn Starfest to view Jupiter and its moons, as well as to learn other astronomical facts.

On Sunday, Oct. 11 at Lowell Observatory, employees and volunteers put on an all-ages star and planet gazing event. 

The 24-inch Clark telescope was open for viewing of Jupiter and its moons. Twilight was the best time because it was easiest to examine the planet.

Jason Sanborn, the public-program night supervisor for Lowell, said the reason the observatory has events like this is to educate the public, and because the rarity of Sunday night’s viewings was a great opportunity to do that.

“[Viewings] are not usually on Sundays,” Sanborn said. “We are giving people from out of town or on a family trip the chance to view on weekends while they are here.”

Phelicia Norris looks at Jupiter through the 24-inch Clark Telescope at Lowell Observatory on Sunday. Lowell hosted their special Autumn Star Fest which featured different telescopes to visitors for viewing. Chad Sexton / The Lumberjack

A multimedia program took place in the lecture hall every hour, giving spectators a chance to learn some history about the galaxy, Lowell, and the account of how many scientific findings came to be.

Andrew Ord, a 16-year-old high school student from Scottsdale, Ariz., said he heard about the event through friends and thought it would be interesting to have a firsthand account of Lowell’s offerings.

“I think it is all very interesting, the information you can gather from looking through a telescope,” Ord said. “It really is a fun thing, something people should come and see.”

Within the Rotunda Museum, on the boundaries of Lowell, multiple pieces of Shonto Begay’s artwork were showcased throughout the circle room. Many of the traditional pieces were also for sale.

Another telescope sat outside the Rotunda Museum for viewing the M13 globular cluster.

Summer Hom, an elementary school student from Sierra Vista, Ariz., said she thought the cluster looked interesting.

“It kind of looks like the Milky Way without the milk,” Hom said.

Summer’s mother Kristy said her family had heard about Lowell from a posting on Twitter.

“My husband and I both graduated from NAU, and we love coming to Lowell,” Kristy Hom said. “This is such a great place to come for family events.”

Lowell will also be hosting a Free Admission Day on Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Daytime events include historic tours and indoor programming with the evening events including indoor programs and telescope viewing, sponsored by the Robert Ayers Science Fund. For more information, contact Lowell Observatory at 774-3358.

Nine-year-old Alex Nicholas looks at Jupiter through the 24-inch Clark Telescope at Lowell Observatory on Sunday. Lowell hosted their special Autumn Star Fest which featured different telescopes to visitors for viewing.