The best way to learn about astronomy is to learn with others. They've 'been there, done that' and can help answer your questions about the night sky and equipment. There are many resources available including clubs, planetariums and observatories. In the Baltimore-DC metro area, there are several of each!
Clubs
- Analemma Society
- Baltimore Astronomical Society
- Celestial Searchers
- Delmarva Stargazers
- Astronomical Society of Greenbelt
- Harford County Astronomical Society
- Howard Astronomical League
- National Capital Astronomers
- Northern Virginia Astronomy Club
- Shenandoah Astronomical Society
- Tri-State Astronomers
- Westminster Astronomical Society
Observatories
- Crosby Ramsey Memorial Observatory (at the Maryland Science Center)
- Maryland Space Grant Observatory (at Johns Hopkins University)
- UMBC JCA Observatory
- UM Observatory
- US Naval Observatory
- Morgan County Observatory (Berkeley Springs, WV)
Planetariums/Science Centers
- William M. Brish Planetarium
- Davis Planetarium (at the Maryland Science Center)
- Albert Einstein Planetarium (at the National Air & Space Museum)
- Fairfax County Public Schools Planetaria
- The Howard B. Owens Science Center's Planetarium
- Montgomery College Planetarium
- Rock Creek Park Planetarium
- Challenger Learning Center of Greater Washington
- Space Telescope Science Institute
- Goddard Space Flight Center
- Watson-King Planetarium Towson University
Museums
- Maryland Science Center
- US Naval Observatory
- National Air and Space Museum
- Goddard Space Flight Center Visitors' Center
- The Howard B. Owens Science Center
Astronomy Stores
- Company Seven, Montpelier, MD
- Hands On Optics, Damascus, MD
- The Sky Plus, Mt. Airy, MD
- Chesapeake Optics, Havre de Grace, MD
Astronomy/Space Camps (for kids of ALL ages!)
- UM Summer Programs
- Queen Anne School Summer Programs (often has a space themed component)
- VA Space Flight Adventure Camp
- Gettysburg College Astronomy Camp
- Virginia Air & Space Center
- Medomak Family Camp: Astronomy Week
- The University of Arizona Alumni Association Astronomy Camp
- International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC)
- Wyoming Astro Camp
- U. Wisconsin Summer Camps
- Guided Discoveries Astro Camp CA
- Summer Science Day Camps GA
- Space Camp
Space Camp Europe - Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
- Cosmosphere Camps
- Kennedy Space Center, FL
- CCD Imaging Camp (Ron Wodaski)
Please email Elizabeth if there is an astro place in the Baltimore-DC metro area that is not listed above.
To look up astro places in other states, check out
- Sky & Telescope's Clubs & Organizations directory
- or Astronomy's Organizations directory