KOKOMO, Ind. — The final open house of the academic year at the Indiana University Kokomo Observatory will highlight recent discoveries made by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, specifically the mysterious "little red dots."
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On Sunday, May 17, at 8 p.m., Patrick Motl, a professor of physics, will lead the presentation discussing these objects, which are believed to represent a transitional phase between dense, star-forming galaxies and active galactic nuclei, according to NASA.
Motl noted that the James Webb Space Telescope has recently identified these very young and distant astronomical objects, prompting astronomers to conduct follow-up observations in various wavelengths of light.
Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to observe celestial bodies such as Jupiter, Venus, and the spring constellations through the Observatory’s telescopes, including a six-inch Takahashi refracting telescope and a 16-inch Meade reflecting telescope. The Takahashi is known for its sharp planetary images, while the Meade allows for viewing fainter objects thanks to its larger light-collecting ability.
Stargazing will continue until 10 p.m., weather permitting. The Observatory is located at 2660 S. Washington Street, with free parking available on campus. Open houses will resume in September 2026.