PUBLIC VIEWING NIGHTS at the William D. McDowell Observatory will occur every Monday and Wednesday evening, weather permitting. Each session focuses on two major objects with the potential for viewing additional objects if observing conditions and crowd size allow. Observing is weather dependent and will be canceled if the skies are cloudy at the beginning of the observing session. Please note that the observatory is limited to 25 individuals at a time and observing is on a first come, first serve basis. If thunderstorms are in the area or predicted during these hours we may not be able to open.
- Time: See below
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All ages, children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Capacity: 25 individuals at a time with observing on a first come, first served basis.
- Check-in at the NJMC Center for Environmental and Scientific Education.
Viewing Schedule
August ~ 8:30 -10:30 p.m.
- 30th & 9/1: Arcturus, Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M13, M57, Neptune, (Uranus, Jupiter (Late))
September ~ 8:00 -10:00 p.m.
- 6th: Closed Labor Day
- 8th: Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, (Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M13, M57)
- 13th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 27th & 29th: Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Moon (Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M13, M57)
October ~ 8:00 -10:00 p.m.
- 4th & 6th: Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune (Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M13, M57, M31)
- 11th, 13th, 18th, 20th, 25th & 27th: Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Moon (Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M13, M57, M31)
November ~ 8:00 -10:00 p.m.
- 1st, 3rd, 8th & 10th: Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, (Deneb, Alberio, M57, M31, h & x Persei, M45)
- 15th, 17th, 22nd, 24th & 29th: Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Moon (Capella, Alberio, Betelgeuse, M31, h & x Persei, M45)
December ~ 7:00 -10:00 p.m.
- 1st, 6th & 8th: Jupiter, Uranus, (Betelgeuse & Rigel, M31, h & x Persei, M45, M42, NGC 457)
- 13th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, 27th & 29th: Jupiter, Uranus, Moon (Betelegeuse & Rigel, M31, h & x Persei, M45, M42, NGC 457)
Key:
- M-13 - Great global cluster in Hercules
- M-57 - Ring nebula Messier 57 is often regarded as the prototype of a planetary nebula
- M-31 - The famous Andromeda galaxy
- M-45 - Pleiades star cluster
- M-42 - The Orion Nebula
- NGC 457 - Open star cluster in Cassiopeia the Owl Cluster, or the ET Cluster, due to its resemblance to the movie character.
LET'S TALK ASTRONOMY!
The observatory will host four astronomy learning series, consisting of classes on alternating Tuesday night from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Sessions are "independent" but the July sessions are designed for members of the community who have participated in previous Let's Talk Astronomy sessions or have some background in astronomy. These sessions are designed for interested adults or the upper level high school student. Learning sessions will include time spent in the Observatory.
- Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
- Cost: $15 for each 3 session program, Members FREE
- Maximum Number of Participants: 15 per class, pre-registration required.
- Registration: In-person or online.
- Check-in at the NJMC Center for Environmental and Scientific Education.
Upcoming Let's Talk Astronomy Learning Series
September 14th, 21st, 28th - Archaeoastronomy & The Development of Modern Astronomy
October 5th, 12th, 19th - The Solar System
November 2nd, 9th, 16th - The Lifecycles of Stars
December 7th, 14th, 21st - Galaxies, the Universe & Cosmology
LET'S TALK ASTRONOMY!
The observatory will host four astronomy learning sessions for those members of the community that were registered in previous "Let's Talk Astronomy" sessions. Each session will focus on new/updated information or additional information to supplement these prior learning experiences.
- Time: 7:00-9:00 pm (Tuesday)
- Cost: $15 for each 3 session program, Members FREE
- Maximum Number of Participants: 15 per class, pre-registration required.
- Registration: In-person or online.
- Check-in at the NJMC Center for Environmental and Scientific Education.
Let's Talk Astronomy "Update" Learning Series
October 26th - Update on The Solar System
November 23rd - Update on The Lifecycle of Stars
November 30th - Update on The Constellations and Stars of Winter: Their Lore and Meaning
December 28th - Update on Galaxies, The Universe & Cosmology
Parking for the NJMC Center for Environmental and Scientific Education is in the lot located at the back of the complex. Upon passing the guard booth continue straight past the stop sign and park in the lot on the right. The NJMC Center for Environmental and Scientific Education is the low building on the right side of the parking lot next to the observatory. Please enter the main entrance of the building - marked by three large concrete spheres and check-in at the desk.
Note: In order to access the observatory telescope, a visitor must be able to climb 25 steps (9 steps, a landing, 16 steps) in a spiral formation. The stairs have a railing on either side, with the railings approximately 2 feet apart. Please contact the Meadowlands Environment Center offices at least one week prior to visiting to request disability related accommodations for equal access.