Observatory Event for Friday 3 November is a go!

It looks like it is going to be a clear (but chilly!) evening. Please dress warmly. :) We are a go for tonight!

We'll get started at:

7:00 pm

in Science Center (SC) room 406.

As always, sincere thanks for your interest in the observatory!

Nobel Laureate to speak about James Webb Space Telescope on Monday

Please join us for an amazing presentation by Dr. John Mather!

Monday, October 23, 2023 2 - 3 PM
Globe Hall on the Germantown Campus

Nobel Prize winner, Dr. John C. Mather, will be in Globe Hall on the Germantown Campus on Monday, October 23, 2023, from 2-3 pm to deliver a presentation titled, “Opening the Infrared Treasure Chest with the James Webb Space Telescope.” During his talk Dr. Mather will show how he and his team built the Webb and what they hope to find with it.

Though Dr. Mather’s research provided crucial evidence for the Big Bang theory and significantly advanced our understanding of the universe’s origin and evolution, this presentation is intended for a general audience.

Come and be inspired by one who has been recognized for providing “the greatest benefit to humankind.”

Observatory Night for Friday 20 October 2023 Cancelled (clouds and rain)

The forecast tonight is for clouds and rain. I am therefore is so very sorry to have to cancel the observatory night this evening.

Wishing everyone a lovely Friday night and delightful weekend. I hope to see you again soon at the observatory, or at another astronomy event!

No Observing Tonight, but Please Join Us for Our Speaker Series!

It looks like it will be too cloudy for observing tonight (Friday, Oct. 6), but we would like to invite you the premiere of our Geosciences Speaker Series! Please join us tonight for the following presentation:

“Modeling and Measuring Earth’s Climate in a Warming World”
Dr. Ryan Kramer, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Friday October 6, 2023
6:15 PM in SW301

The talk will take place in room 301 of the Science West building (SW). Science West is connected to the Science Center (SC) building that houses our observatory. Parking lots 9 or 11 are the closest. A map is below, and additional maps and directions may be found here.

Observatory Event for Friday 15 September is a go!

It looks like it is going to be a gorgeous and clear September evening. It might even be a little chilly. :) We are a go for tonight!

We'll get started at:

8:00 pm

in Science Center (SC) room 406.

As always, sincere thanks for your interest in the observatory!

Observatory Event for Friday 1 September is a go!

It looks like it is going to be a beautiful evening. We are a go for tonight!

We'll get started at:

8:30 pm

in Science Center (SC) room 406.

As always, sincere thanks for your interest in the observatory!

Observatory Night Schedule for Fall 2023

Observatory Nights scheduled for Fall 2023!

Friday 1 Sep 2023 | 8:30 - 9:30 PM
Friday 15 Sep 2023 | 8 - 9 PM

Friday 6 Oct 2023 | 7:30 - 8:30 PM
Friday 20 Oct 2023 | 7 - 8 PM

Friday 3 Nov 2023 | 7 - 8 PM
Friday 17 Nov 2023 | 7 - 8 PM

Events are free, but because of occupancy limitations on the roof, we require guests to make reservations via Eventbrite.

Reservations can be made here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/astronomical-observatory-nights-fall-2023-tickets-693693775757.

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Events will be cancelled for bad weather. I will make the call as soon as I am able, usually about 2 hours prior to the event start time. An announcement will be sent to the email address you registered with Eventbrite and I will post the status on this website.

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About the Guest Nights:

During Observatory Guest Nights we use Montgomery College telescopes to view and learn about visible solar system objects, star clusters, and nebulae. We also spend some time looking at the sky with just our eyes in order to locate constellations and planets that can be seen this time of the year.

You'll leave with a star chart and the ability to find celestial objects on your own.
Astronomy faculty will be on hand to answer questions about the universe.

Some things to note:

• Dress for the weather. The observatory is located outside on the roof of the Science Center.
• We meet in Science Center room 406 (SC406). We go up to the roof as a group. If you're late, there will be a staff member or student in SC406 to escort you upstairs.
• Children are welcome (and encouraged!) to attend, although campus policy prohibits children younger than five years of age on the roof.
• Parking is free.

I want to continue to improve the observatory nights. If you have suggestions or comments, please let me know.

Observatory Event for Friday 4 August is a go!

As usual, we may have a few clouds to deal with, but we are a go for tonight!

We'll get started at:

9:00 pm

in Science Center (SC) room 406.

As always, sincere thanks for your interest in the observatory!

Observatory Event for Friday 21 July is a go!

We may have to dodge a few clouds, but we are a go for tonight!

We'll get started at:

9:30 pm

in Science Center (SC) room 406.

As always, sincere thanks for your interest in the observatory!

Northern Lights in Maryland? Probably Not.

I know there have been several recent reports about the potential for seeing auroras from Maryland and DC. Unfortunately it will be highly unlikely we will be able to see auroras from our area. If you'd like more information about the auroras and why they are so hard to observe from our part of the world, please see any of the following:

• Upcoming northern lights will be hard to see near Washington DC | VERIFY from WUSA9 (They interviewed me!)
• Sorry, but You Probably Won’t Be Able to See the Northern Lights From Maryland This Week from the Washingtonian
• University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute’s Aurora Forecast

Observatory Event for Friday 2 June is a go!

We're a go for tonight!

We'll get started at:

9:30 pm

in Science Center (SC) room 406.

As always, sincere thanks for your interest in the observatory!

Observatory Night Schedule for Summer 2023

Observatory Nights are back for Summer 2023!

Friday 2 Jun 2023 | 9:30 - 10:30 PM
Friday 16 Jun 2023 | 9:30 - 10:30 PM

Friday 7 Jul 2023 | 9:30 - 10:30 PM
Friday 21 Jul 2023 | 9:30 - 10:30 PM

Friday 4 Aug 2023 | 9 - 10 PM

Events are free, but because of occupancy limitations on the roof, we require guests to make reservations via Eventbrite.

Reservations can be made here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/634783403247.

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Events will be cancelled for bad weather. I will make the call as soon as I am able, usually about 2 hours prior to the event start time. An announcement will be sent to the email address you registered with Eventbrite and I will post the status on this website.

---

About the Guest Nights:

During Observatory Guest Nights we use Montgomery College telescopes to view and learn about visible solar system objects, star clusters, and nebulae. We also spend some time looking at the sky with just our eyes in order to locate constellations and planets that can be seen this time of the year.

You'll leave with a star chart and the ability to find celestial objects on your own.
Astronomy faculty will be on hand to answer questions about the universe.

Some things to note:

• Dress for the weather. The observatory is located outside on the roof of the Science Center.
• We meet in Science Center room 406 (SC406). We go up to the roof as a group. If you're late, there will be a staff member or student in SC406 to escort you upstairs.
• Children are welcome (and encouraged!) to attend, although campus policy prohibits children younger than five years of age on the roof.
• Parking is free.

I want to continue to improve the observatory nights. If you have suggestions or comments, please let me know.

Observatory Event for Friday 5 May is a go!

We're a go for tonight! We may have to dodge some clouds, but we'll do our best to see what we can.

We'll get started at:

8:30 pm

in Science Center (SC) room 406.

As always, sincere thanks for your interest in the observatory!

Observatory Event for Friday 21 April is on!

We're a go for for tonight! We may have some clouds coming in before the night is done, but we'll do our best to observe while we can.

We'll get started at:

8:30 pm

in Science Center (SC) room 406.

As always, sincere thanks for your interest in the observatory!

Observatory Event for Friday 10 February is on!

The skies are looking clear, so we are a go for tonight! I can't promise that the clouds won't roll in, but we'll do our best to see the comet and the other astronomical wonders that are visible tonight.

Temperatures are forecast to be in the 40s, so please dress warmly. :)

We'll get started at:

7:00 pm

in Science Center (SC) room 406.

As always, sincere thanks for your interest in the observatory!

Observatory Night Schedule for Spring 2023

Observatory Nights are back for Spring 2023!

Friday 24 Mar 2023 | 8 - 9 PM

Friday 7 Apr 2023 | 8:30 - 9:30 PM
Friday 21 Apr 2023 | 8:30 - 9:30 PM

Friday 5  May 2023 | 8:30 - 9:30 PM
Friday 19 May 2023 | 9 - 10 PM

Events are free, but because of occupancy limitations on the roof, we require guests to make reservations via Eventbrite.

Reservations can be made here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/539593307107.

---

Events will be cancelled for bad weather. I will make the call as soon as I am able, usually about 2 hours prior to the event start time. An announcement will be sent to the email address you registered with Eventbrite and I will post the status on this website.

---

About the Guest Nights:

During Observatory Guest Nights we use Montgomery College telescopes to view and learn about visible solar system objects, star clusters, and nebulae. We also spend some time looking at the sky with just our eyes in order to locate constellations and planets that can be seen this time of the year.

You'll leave with a star chart and the ability to find celestial objects on your own.
Astronomy faculty will be on hand to answer questions about the universe.

Some things to note:

• Dress for the weather. The observatory is located outside on the roof of the Science Center.
• We meet in Science Center room 406 (SC406). We go up to the roof as a group. If you're late, there will be a staff member or student in SC406 to escort you upstairs.
• Children are welcome (and encouraged!) to attend, although campus policy prohibits children younger than five years of age on the roof.
• Parking is free.

I want to continue to improve the observatory nights. If you have suggestions or comments, please let me know.

Comet Event Cancelled for Friday 3-Feb-2023 - it's too cold!

I am deeply sorry to cancel the event this evening, but due to the Arctic blast and the accompanying cold temps, we cannot host the public at the observatory tonight.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and please stay warm out there. :)

Special Observatory Nights for Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF

During these special observatory nights, we will be observing comet C/2022 E3 ZTF, the "green comet". Due to occupancy limitations on the roof, we ask attendees to reserve a spot on our Eventbrite site here.

Friday 3 February 2023 (7 - 8 PM)
Friday 10 February 2023 (7 - 8 PM)

Events are weather dependent. A "go" or "no go" will be made the day of the event and posted here. You will also receive an email to the address you registered with Eventbrite.

Register here!