Observatory Night for 20 May 2022 is on (but with a cloudy caveat!)

We are a "go" for tonight, although the seeing is definitely less than ideal. I'm hopeful that the clouds will continue to clear, but different forecasts are predicting different things. If it clouds up, I won't be able to show you anything.

If you want to come out, we will be here! Please meet in Science Center (SC) Room 406 at 9pm.

Montgomery College is requiring that masks be worn in classrooms, but you do not need to mask outdoors on the roof.

Please note: because of our commencement activities, parking lot 11 is not available. You can still park in lots 12 or 10. (Map below).

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

Special Event at the Observatory for Total Lunar Eclipse

Join us at he Montgomery College Astronomical Observatory to view the next total lunar eclipse! Several telescopes will be set up and binoculars will be available.

Observatory Night for The Total Lunar Eclipse

9:30 PM Sunday 15 May - 12:30 AM Monday 16 May

Register for the event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/total-lunar-eclipse-at-the-observatory-tickets-333056058637.

Some things to note:

• Dress for the weather. The observatory is located outside on the roof of the Science Center. It can get chilly up there, even during spring and summer evenings.
• 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 student in SC406 to escort you upstairs.
• Events will be cancelled for cloudy or 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 the observatory website.
• Children are welcome (and encouraged!) to attend, although campus policy prohibits children younger than five years of age on the roof.
• Parking is free.
• If you don't see a date on the drop-down menu above it's because we're booked. If you put yourself on the waitlist, you will be notified if someone cancels.
• If you register but can't attend, please cancel so that someone else may have your spot.
• Detailed directions can be found here.

Observatory nights are back for summer!

After a looooonnnnnngggggg hiatus, the observatory nights will be coming back in May! All events will run from 9 - 10 pm. Observatory nights for Summer 2022 are below. In the meantime, a star chart for April/May is here :).

Friday 6 May 2022
Friday 20 May 2022

Friday 3 June 2022
Friday 17 June 2022

Friday 1  July 2022
Friday 15 July 2022

Friday 5 August 2022

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-2022-tickets-306836314677.

---

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.