Register here: https://montgomeryparks.org/events/explore-earths-dark-sky/
The Meadowside Nature Center is located at 5100 Meadowside Lane / Rockville, Maryland 20855.
Sessions will run from 1-1:30 PM on the dates listed below. Please note the planetarium is located in the Leggett Building (room 103) on the TPSS campus.
We'll get started at:
I'll give a brief presentation, then we will go up to the observatory together. Because I do not have staff to assist me this evening, if you arrive too late, I won't be able to get you to the roof.
Also, please note the temperatures are forecast to be in the high 40s / low 50s. I recommend bringing a jacket and maybe even a hat. :)
Looking forward to seeing you tonight!
Saturday 5 Oct | 7:30 - 8:30 PM The Sky is Falling
Saturday 2 Nov | 7:30 - 8:30 PM Navigate the November Sky
Saturday 7 Dec | 7:30 - 8:30 PM The Sky Through the Ages
These events are free, but because of occupancy limitations in the planetarium, we require guests to make reservations via UBMe. Follow this link to see the events and register.
The planetarium is located in the beautiful new Leggett Building on the Takoma Park campus of Montgomery College. The street address is 7615 Fenton St, Takoma Park, MD 20912. The registration links above will provide you with details on directions and parking.
Each show will be given by a live presenter, either me or my colleague, Dr. Harold Williams. If it's clear after the event, we'll stargaze on the Takoma Park campus with one or more of our small telescopes. No matter what, you'll leave with a star chart and the ability to find celestial objects on your own.
And if you are missing observatory events, never fear, they will be back! We have plans to host at least observatory night this coming November. We'll ramp up again in the Spring semester. Right now, most of my attention is focused on the getting the planetarium programming up and running.
We'll get started at:
Please note it might be a little chilly on the roof tonight. I recommend bringing a jacket. :)
The month of July has been a busy one, but we are ready to once again open our observatory doors in August. If you've been to the observatory in the past, you've probably noticed that there are two telescopes up there, and we typically only use one of them. Well, the kinks have been worked out and we are thrilled to debut our "Big Red" telescope during the next observatory night.
We've also been developing future events and programming for the planetarium. It will be a space for astronomy shows, presentations, and performances. We are looking forward to having a dynamic, interdisciplinary space where students and the community to gather for astronomy shows, presentations, performances, meditation under the stars, and classes. If you have ideas for what you'd like to see in the planetarium, please let me know. The sky is the limit with our new space!
In the meantime, I hope you will be able to join us for one of the upcoming observatory events! Summer 2024!
Friday 9 Aug | 9 - 10 PM
Thursday 22 Aug | 8:30 - 9:30 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-summer-2024-tickets-939613066977.
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.
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:
I want to continue to improve the observatory nights. If you have suggestions or comments, please let me know.
We'll get started at:
One important note: the main elevator in the Science Center has been broken. I have been told it will likely be fixed before this evening, but it is not certain. There is an elevator on the opposite side of the hallway that can get you to the fourth floor. The problem is the broken elevator is the only one that allows us access to the roof.
This means if you attend this evening, you will need to be able to climb one flight of stairs to get to the observatory.
The eclipse will begin at 2:04 pm, and maximum will occur at 3:20 pm. The whole thing will be over at 4:32 pm. This will be a really nice partial, with 87% of the Sun covered by the Moon. When it's near maximum, have a look at the shadows, they will be interesting! Be safe and don't look at the Sun unless you have approved glasses. :)
Friday 12 Apr | 8:30 - 9:30 PM
Friday 26 Apr | 8:30 - 9:30 PM
Friday 10 May | 9:00 - 10:00 PM
Friday 24 May | 9:00 - 10:00 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://mcobservatory-spring2024.eventbrite.com.
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.
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:
I want to continue to improve the observatory nights. If you have suggestions or comments, please let me know.
Also, I have some news- this will be my last semester on the Rockville campus! I will be moving to the Takoma Park/Silver Spring (TPSS) campus after Spring 2024. I will be transitioning to doing more astronomy outreach programming in the *new* planetarium! More details to follow.
