{"id":74817,"date":"2026-03-09T08:26:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T12:26:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/?p=74817"},"modified":"2026-03-23T13:33:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T17:33:15","slug":"under-the-dome-join-a-star-party-at-utcs-clarence-t-jones-observatory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/under-the-dome-join-a-star-party-at-utcs-clarence-t-jones-observatory\/","title":{"rendered":"Under the dome: Join a ‘Star Party’ at UTC’s Clarence T. Jones Observatory"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Visitors

Visitors look up at the historic telescope inside the UTC Observatory dome during a Star Party. Photo by Clara Paulson.<\/p><\/div>\n

On the weekend of Valentine\u2019s Day<\/span>, visitors spent an evening under the dome at the <\/span>University of Tennessee at Chattanooga\u2019s<\/span> Clarence T. Jones Observatory to explore attraction and what holdsthe universe together.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The \u201cStar Party,\u201d held Sunday, Feb. 15, focused on gravity as it connects planets, stars and galaxies across the universe, and was fittingly titled \u201cLove and Deep Space.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Steven <\/span>Kline,<\/span> astronomy lecturer and observatory director, explained that the Clarence T. Jones Observatory was built in 1936 and has had <\/span>Star Parties<\/span> for decades.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From its earliest days, the observatory was designed to bring space science to the public in an approachable way.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cIt was a building established just for astronomy, outreach and education,\u201d <\/span>Kline<\/span> said. \u201cFrom the start, it\u2019s always been about engaging with the public<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not something you need to have any background in. It\u2019s just more of an \u2018I\u2019m kind of interested in that topic\u2019 sort of thing. It\u2019s cool, it\u2019s fun, it\u2019s engaging and a good chance to learn something.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

=======================<\/p>\n

Click here<\/strong><\/a> to read a Q&A with Steven Kline to learn more about the observatory and his role.<\/p>\n

=======================<\/p>\n

Star Parties are held at the observatory on Sunday evenings during UTC\u2019s fall and spring semesters and are free and open to the public. Start times shift with the sunset, typically beginning at 6 p.m. earlier in the semester and 7 p.m. later in the spring.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone can attend, and it does not cost any money at all,\u201d said Ryan Spradling, a teaching assistant at the observatory and <\/span>UTC geology major<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

She explained that each Star Party event includes a 25-or-30 minute lecture on a physics or astronomy related topic and is followed by a planetarium show that visually reinforces what guests have learned.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then hopefully, if the weather is cooperative, we\u2019ll have some viewing through the telescope so you can look at some cool stuff,\u201d <\/span>Spradling said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The observatory is also nearing completion of a major telescope restoration. <\/span>Robert L. Wilson Professor of Geology Amy Brock-Hon explained that the primary mirror was originally ground and shaped in the observatory\u2019s basement by amateur astronomers and had not been recoated since the 1970s.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe decided that while we were taking care of the mirror, \u2018Why don\u2019t we just give the whole thing some revisions?\u2019\u201d Brock-Hon asked.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The mirror was driven to California to be aluminized, allowing it to reflect light more effectively. During renovations, staff discovered lead paint in the dome, requiring additional fundraising and repairs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For students and alumni of UTC, <\/span>the star parties offer a place for connection.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou get to meet a lot of fun people, and that is an amazing part of these events,\u201d said Hannah Johnson, <\/span>a UTC geology student.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UTC alum Amber Newbille, <\/span>who graduated in 2024 with a degree in geolog<\/span>y, said the events help her feel tied not only to the <\/span>University<\/span> but also to the broader Chattanooga community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely believe it\u2019s important to stay open to the public,\u201d Newbille said. \u201cIt makes me feel more connected, not just to UTC, but to my community and to other space and science nerds too.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more<\/h4>\n

Visit UTC<\/a><\/p>\n

Clarence T. Jones Observatory<\/a><\/p>\n

The people of UTC: Get to know Steven Kline<\/a><\/p>\n

How to apply<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo gallery by Clara Paulson<\/h4>\n
\"Steven

Observatory Director Steven Kline presents \u201cLove and Deep Space.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n

\"A <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"A <\/a> <\/div>
\"Someone <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Two <\/a> <\/div>
\"Amy <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"Families <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"The <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"An <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On the weekend of Valentine\u2019s Day, visitors spent an evening under the dome at the UTC Clarence T. Jones Observatory to explore attraction and what holds the universe together.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Continue Reading <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2000,"featured_media":74838,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_slider":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_featurette":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[64,70,123865,61,3,122493,12659,122313,7712,661],"tags":[123113,124542,126560,125701,122172,123827,126720,123828,124776,123829,126044,126721,126048,126042],"class_list":{"0":"post-74817","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-academics","8":"category-biology-geology-and-environmental-science","9":"category-college-of-arts-sciences","10":"category-community","11":"category-education","12":"category-events-entertainment","13":"category-experiential-learning","14":"category-faculty-and-staff","15":"category-news","16":"category-students","17":"tag-amber-newbille","18":"tag-amy-brock-hon-2","19":"tag-audrey-bigham","20":"tag-clara-paulson","21":"tag-clarence-t-jones-observatory","22":"tag-creating-the-mocs-experience","23":"tag-hannah-johnson","24":"tag-leveraging-our-special-place-as-chattanoogas-university","25":"tag-mocs-learn-mocs-do-mocs-lead","26":"tag-operating-with-excellence","27":"tag-physics-and-astronomy","28":"tag-ryan-spradling","29":"tag-star-parties","30":"tag-steven-kline","31":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\nUnder the dome: Join a 'Star Party' at UTC's Clarence T. 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