Davis Hall’s observatory offers much to students interested in celestial objects beyond campus.

“It’s definitely the best view on the campus,” said Sheryl Irby, a freshman media communications major, who enjoys star gazing and the free price tag.

Needless to say, there is much more to the observatory than its admission rate. The observatory opened in the early 1960s, was renovated in 2001 and, throughout the past 30 years, has been open to the public.

As of now, the observatory is run by Matt Graziano, a sophomore philosophy major and recently appointed manager, and two fellow students, Eric Johnson, senior applied physics major, and Rob Maticic, senior operation management and information systems major.

The observatory’s staff assists visitors in finding all types of outer space interests from nebulas and galaxies to constellations and planets. The dome-like area includes a 14-inch reflector telescope, two 2-inch portable telescopes, two pairs of binoculars and other miscellaneous optics with different lenses and filters.

Among the possible galactic sights Pleides, an open cluster in the Taurus constellation, is one that Graziano and staff call their favorite.

Irby said the observatory serves as a good source of information and could even be used for a free date.

Graziano said most people who visit the observatory aren’t usually there on dates.

“We get a lot of curious people and people here for extra credit in their classes,” Graziano said.

The observatory is open 9-11 p.m. Tuesdays until the end of September and 8-10 p.m. from October to April.

The staff is awaiting approval from the physics chair to keep the observatory open five days a week under clear weather.