Tickets are available for "A Future Filled with Stars," an Aug. 15 fundraiser dedicated to the development of the Northwest Indiana Robotic (NIRo) telescope, the second phase of the Calumet Astronomy Center on the grounds of Buckley Homestead County Park in Lowell.

The event, from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 15 at Duneland Falls Banquet Center, 1100 N. Ind. 149 in Portage. will feature invited speakers U.S. Rep. Peter J. Visclosky, Purdue University Calumet Physics & Astronomy Professor Dr. Shawn D. Slavin, PUC Dean of the School of Education Dr. Robert Rivers and PUC Chancellor Dr. Howard Cohen. Thomas Conway, USW vice president for administration, after whom the Conway Observatory already in operation at CAC is named, is also scheduled to address the gathering.

Join the founding members of the Calumet Astronomy Center for an evening of hors d' oeuvres, wine, and stargazing (weather permitting). Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased from PUC. Make checks payable to Purdue University Calumet (add CAC on the memo line) and mail to: PUC, Gyte Building 268, 2200 169th St., Hammond, IN 46323-2094. The Calumet Astronomy Center is a result of collaboration between Purdue University Calumet, members of the Calumet Astronomical Society and the Lake County Parks and Recreation Department.

Building on the success of the Thomas Conway Observatory, which was built by steelworkers from the USW/ArcelorMittal-Burns Harbor Career Development Program at Buckley Homestead County Park, the Calumet Astronomy Center will be a focal point for astronomical education, outreach, and research in Northwest Indiana.

The NIRo telescope will allow a complete revamp of the PUC introductory astronomy courses, facilitate many new research projects for PUC physics majors, and bring astronomy to local middle school classrooms through educational modules compliant with Indiana state science standards for grades 6 -8.

For more information about the project, visit www.calumet.purdue.edu/cac/ or contact Prof. Adam Rengstorf at (219) 989-2624 or adamwr@calumet.purdue.edu

- For The Times