The Montgomery College Observatory is not currently hosting public observing sessions.

Our public astronomy programming is currently offered through the Montgomery College Planetarium, which hosts monthly public shows during the fall and spring semesters, special events, and educational programs throughout the year.

The schedule of planetarium programs may be found here.

Future observatory programs will be announced here if and when they resume.

Thank you for your interest in astronomy at Montgomery College!

Stargazing Event at Meadowside Nature Center

I'll be hosting a stargazing event at Meadowside Nature Center. Please note, this event is Weather permitting!

Explore Earth's Dark Sky Friday 20 December 6 - 7 PM

Register here: https://montgomeryparks.org/events/explore-earths-dark-sky/

The Meadowside Nature Center is located at 5100 Meadowside Lane / Rockville, Maryland 20855.

Meditate Under the Stars!

Feeling stressed? Want to take a few minutes away to re-center under a peaceful and starry sky? If so, please join us for guided meditations in our beautiful new planetarium!

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.

Monday 9 December
Wednesday 11 December
Monday 16 December
Wednesday 18 December

Observatory night for Saturday 16-Nov-2024 is a GO!

It's rare that I can make the call so early in the day, but the weather is looking lovely for our observing session this evening.

We'll get started at:

7:00 pm

in Science Center (SC) room 406.

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!

Planetarium Shows!

I have some wonderful news to share: We have scheduled *three* live planetarium shows for the Fall semester! Woo hoo!

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.

Observatory Night for Thursday 22 August is a go!

It looks like we're finally (finally!!!!) going to get a clear evening! We are a go for tonight!

We'll get started at:

8:30 pm

in Science Center (SC) room 406.

Please note it might be a little chilly on the roof tonight. I recommend bringing a jacket. :)

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.

Observatory Event for Friday 24 May is a go!

It looks like we're finally going to get a clear evening! We are a go for tonight!

We'll get started at:

9:00 pm

in Science Center (SC) room 406.

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.

Happy Eclipse Day!

Greetings from Buffalo, NY! I've been getting a few phone calls and emails asking about eclipse events at Montgomery College. Alas, I decided to travel to the path of totality for this one, so I am unable to host a viewing today. Nevertheless, if the skies are clear this afternoon in Maryland, I encourage you to grab your eclipse glasses and head outside.

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. :)

Observatory Night Schedule for Spring 2024

Observatory Nights are back for Spring 2024!

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.

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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.

Spring Observatory Nights and Beyond!

Happy 2024! Observatory nights will begin again in March.

The schedule will be posted here early February.

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.

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.

---

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 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!