PUBLIC VIEWING NIGHTS at the William D. McDowell Observatory will occur every Monday and Wednesday evening, weather permitting. Each evening two major objects in the night sky will be viewed plus one or two other celestial objects or events depending on the observing conditions. If thunderstorms are in the area or predicted during these hours we may not be able to open.
- Time: 8:00 & 9:00 pm
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All, children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Capacity: 25 per 8:00 and 9:00 pm session. Admission within each session is on a first come, first served basis.
- Check-in at the NJMC Center for Environmental and Scientific Education.
2010 Viewing Schedule
February ~ 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
- 1st & 3rd: Moon, Mars, M31, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Rigel, Betelgeuse and Saturn (Late)
- 8th, 10th, 15th & 17th: Mars, M31, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Rigel, Betelgeuse and Saturn (Late)
- 22nd & 24th : Moon, Mars, M31, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Rigel, Betelgeuse, Saturn (Late).
March ~ 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Daylight Savings Time Starts March 14, 2010
- 1st & 3rd: Moon, Mars, Saturn, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Rigel, Betelgeuse
- 8th, 10th, 15th & 17th:: Mars, Saturn, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Rigel, Betelgeuse
- 22nd, 24th, 29th & 31st:: Moon, Mars, Saturn, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Rigel, Betelgeuse
April ~ 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
- 5th, 7th, 12th & 14th: Venus, Mars, Saturn, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Rigel, Betelgeuse
- 19th, 21st, 26th & 28th: Moon, Venus, Mars, Saturn, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Rigel, Betelgeuse
May ~ 8:30 -10:30 p.m.
- 3rd & 5th: Venus, Mars, Saturn, Arcturus, M13, (Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M57 Late)
- 10th & 12th: Venus, Mars, Saturn, Arcturus, M13, (Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M57 Late)
- 17th & 19th: Moon, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Arcturus, M13, (Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M57 Late)
- 24th & 26th Moon, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Arcturus, M13, (Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M57 Late)
Closed Memorial Day the 31st
June ~ 8:30 -10:30 p.m.
- 2nd, 7th, 9th, 14th & 16th: Venus, Mars, Saturn, Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M13, M57
- 21st, 23rd, 28th & 30th: Moon, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Vega, Alberio, Double-Double, M13, M57
Key:
- M-13 - Great global cluster in Hercules
- M-57 - Ring nebula Messier 57 is often regarded as the prototpe 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 three classes each Tuesday night from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Every month the focus of the series will change. Sessions are not interdependent, however registration is for the entire session, not per week. Learning sessions will include time spent in the Observatory.
- Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
- Cost: $15 each 3 week session, 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.
Spring 2010 Let's Talk Astronomy Learning Series
February - Archaeoastronomy & The Development of Modern Astronomy
March - The Solar System2nd, 9th, 16th
2nd, 9th, 16th
April - The Lifecycles of Stars
6th, 13th, 20th
May - Galaxies, The Universe & Cosmology
4th, 11th, 18th
LET'S TALK ASTRONOMY - UPDATE!
The observatory will host four astronomy learning sessions for those members of the community that were registered in the Fall 2008 or Spring 2009 "Let's Talk Astronomy" series. Each session will focus on new/updated information or additional information to supplement these prior learning experiences.
- Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
- Cost: $20. 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.
Spring 2010 "Update" Learning Sessions
February 23rd - Update on Archaeoastronomy & The Development of Modern Astronomy
March 23rd - Update on The Solar System
April 27th - Update on The Lifecycles of Stars
May 25th - 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.