Observatory Update and Summer 2024 Event Dates

Hello everyone! As some of you know, I'll be taking on a new role at Montgomery College as the Astronomy Education and Outreach Coordinator this coming Fall. As part of the change, I'll be moving from the Rockville campus to our Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus and focusing on our beautiful new planetarium in the Leggett Building. I'll still be teaching astronomy at MC, hosting events and lectures in the local community, and running a limited number of observatory events on our Rockville Campus.

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.

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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.