Welcome to the William D. McDowell Observatory
Public Viewing Nights
The Observatory’s 20-inch, research-grade telescope is open to the public free of charge on Monday and Wednesday evenings. The focus of each session depends on observing conditions, so check this website often for details and updates. Viewing requires a clear sky, so the Observatory is closed on cloudy, rainy, and snowy nights. Closings will be announced on the left side of this page and on the William D. McDowell page.
Spring 2012 Viewing Schedule
The Observatory is open to the public with free viewing sessions on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
The observatory is open for two hours starting at 8 p.m. in March.
Please check this web-site for the most up-to-date information.
May 2012 (8:30PM ->10PM)
2nd Mars, Moon, Saturn, Arcturus, M13, (Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M57 Late)
7th & 9th Mars, Saturn, Arcturus, M13, (Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M57 Late)
14th & 16th Mars, Saturn, Arcturus, M13, (Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M57 Late)
21st & 23rd Mars, Saturn, Arcturus, M13, (Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M57 Late)
Closed Memorial Day the 28th
30th Mars, Saturn, Moon, Arcturus, M13, (Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M57 Late)
Key
h & 6 Persei – A double star cluster in Persei
M-13 – Great globular cluster in Hercules
M-42 – The Orion Nebula
M-45 – The Pleiades
M-57 – Ring Nebula, Messier 57 is often regarded as the prototype of a planetary nebula
Summer 2012 Viewing Schedule
The Observatory is open to the public with free viewing sessions on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
The observatory is open for two hours starting at 8:30 p.m. in May.
Please check this web-site for the most up-to-date information.
June 2012 (9PM ->10:30PM)
4th & 6th Arcturus, Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M13, M57, Mars, Saturn, Moon
11th & 13th Arcturus, Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M13, M57, Mars, Saturn
18th & 20th Arcturus, Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M13, M57, Mars, Saturn
25th & 27th Arcturus, Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M13, M57, Mars, Saturn, Moon
July 2012 (9PM ->10:30 PM)
2nd Arcturus, Vega, Double-Double, M13, Albireo, M57, Mars, Saturn, Moon
Wednesday July 4, 2012 The Observatory is closed; Have a Happy & Safe Holiday
9th & 11th Arcturus, Vega, Double-Double, M13, Albireo, M57, Mars, Saturn
16th & 18th Arcturus, Vega, Double-Double, M13, Albireo, M57, Mars, Saturn
23rd & 25th Arcturus, Vega, Double-Double, M13, Albireo, M57, Mars, Saturn, Moon
30th Arcturus, Vega, Double-Double, M13, Albireo, M57, Mars, Saturn, Moon
August 2012 (8:30PM ->10:30 PM)
1st Arcturus, Vega, Double-Double, M13, Albireo, M57, Mars & Saturn (Early), Neptune (Late), Moon
6th & 8th Arcturus, Vega, Double-Double, M13, Albireo, M57, Mars & Saturn (Early), Neptune (Late)
13th & 15th Arcturus, Vega, Double-Double, M13, Albireo, M57, Mars & Saturn (Early), Neptune (Late)
20th & 22nd Arcturus, Vega, Double-Double, M13, Albireo, M57, Mars & Saturn (Early), Neptune (Late), Moon
27th & 29th Arcturus, Vega, Double-Double, M13, Albireo, M57, Saturn (Early), Neptune (Late), Moon
Key:
h & χ Persei – A double star cluster in P
M-13 – Great globular cluster in Hercules
M-57 – Ring Nebula, Messier 57 is often regarded as the prototype of a planetary nebula
Double-Double - Epsilon Lyrae the famous double-double or quadruple star system in the constellation Lyra.
Albireo - One of the best contrasting double stars in the sky due to their different colors
To arrange for a group visit, please contact Dr. John Sloan at 201-460-2416.
