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. :)
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.
We are a "go" for tonight! Skies are partly cloudy right now, and the forecast is calling for more clouds, but I'd like to give tonight a try. Please note, that if it does cloud up, I won't be able to show you anything through the telescopes. If you're game for some cloud dodging, I hope you can join us!
We'll get started at:
7:00 pm
in Science Center (SC) room 406.
As always, sincere thanks for your interest in the observatory!
I'm posting to let you know that due to the COVID-19 situation:
All in-person events at Montgomery College are suspended until further notice, including all upcoming observatory nights.
This breaks my heart, but it's what needs to happen. We'll get back to gathering together under the stars once it's safe to do so.
In the meantime, I am working to schedule live public online astronomy lectures to take the place of the observatory nights, with time for you to participate and ask questions. (Hopefully I'll have some answers!) If there are any astronomy topics you would like me to present, please let me know. You can fill out the "Contact Form" on the bottom of the page, or send me an email. Once I get the technology and topics sorted, I will post dates and details right here.
I create these maps using the wonderful http://www.heavens-above.com/ website and Stellarium software. (Stellarium is a free planetarium software program. If you'd like to know what's up in the sky, I highly recommend it.)
I'm stopping by to let you know the status of our observatory events. Yesterday Montgomery College announced that as a preventative measure against COVID-19, the college will be engaging in emergency remote learning until April 3. During this time, all of our classes will be delivered remotely and non-essential gatherings are to be cancelled or postponed.
As part of this cordon sanitaire,
I am cancelling the observatory events that are scheduled for Friday March 27th and Friday April 3rd.
If you've registered for these nights, you will also receive an email from Eventbrite about the cancellation. I'm hoping to keep the events after April 3rd on the calendar, but if the college deems it necessary to continue remote learning, that may change.
I am really sorry to have cancel these events. Getting to share the universe with the college and local community is truly one of my great joys. Sincere thanks for your continued interest in astronomy and our observatory. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email. I look forward to seeing you again at the observatory once this cloud has passed. Please take care.
