Space Exploration Lab at Westlake Porter Library Now Open

The Space Exploration Lab is officially open! Patrons can remotely control a telescope in Spain and take photos of deep space objects from our library. They can also use our mission control area to make spaceflight simulators and use interactive astronomy software.

Mission Control

The mission control has four wall monitors where patrons can see the telescope status, current moon phase, upcoming space objects, and a gallery of captured images which will be looped.

• Current Moon Phase: Tells the phase of the moon, moonrise, moonset, and when the next full moon is.
• Telescope Status: Tells when the telescope is online or offline depending on the time of the day. It also shows current cloud cover and the telescope’s local time so patrons know when it’s available. Depending on darkness and weather. It goes online when it gets dark in Spain.
• Upcoming Space Objects and Rocket Launches: Things that you can potentially see through the telescope and they will depend on time of the year. They may be able to see nebula, galaxies and other deep space objects.

Mission control has two dedicated computers that give patrons hands-on access to professional astronomy software, interactive NASA and ESA applications, and spaceflight simulators. Guests can explore the solar system in 3D, track the International Space Station, view upcoming rocket launches, monitor space weather, process real telescope images, and experience how astronomers and mission planners study the universe.

Thank you to the Great Lakes Astrophotography Society for your partnership and making this possible. A reservation must be made in advance from home or with staff help at the library via the GLAS website at www.greatlakesastro.org/observatory.

See what the Space Exploration Lab has to offer you and book your session at westlakelibrary.org/space-exploration-lab.