Location
Directions
The Observatory is located on Metzerott Road between Adelphi Road and University Blvd in College Park. From the beltway (I-495) take the College Park/Route 1 exit. You will head south on Route 1 for about a mile until you see a sign for 193 West. You want to get on 193 West. The first light you come to will be Metzerott Road. Take a right onto Metzerott Road. Once on Metzerott, you will go through a stop light and the observatory is about a quarter of a mile on the left side of the road after the stop light. Our entrance is slightly hidden, but you should slow down to turn left as soon as you pass a large "System Administration" sign. We are almost directly across the street from the UM System Administration (3300 Metzerott Rd.).
After playing with an aerial photo of the area and Photoshop, here's a good idea of what is going on!
Parking
We do have a moderate parking lot (~20 spaces) and an overflow lot across the street at the University System of Maryland administration building (3300 Metzerott Rd.). Parking is free in both lots. Please follow the directions of our volunteers in the parking lot and they will assist you. Please be extremely careful crossing the street!
Transportation
Campus Transportation
The Astronomy Department will not run a shuttle bus service for Spring 2006. At other times, the observatory may be reached using the Adelphi North: #5 stop or by using N.I.T.E. Ride.
Public Transportation
The MetroBus R3 line (Greenbelt-Ft. Totten) has a stop just outside the Observatory. You can catch the R3 at a number of stations, the closest being the Greenbelt Metro Station.
Weather
Unfortunately, while telescopes do help us see faint objects that are far away, they cannot see through clouds. IF IT IS CLOUDY THERE WILL BE NO VIEWING THROUGH THE TELESCOPES; HOWEVER, the speaker will still give a presentation and a brief tour of the telescopes will be given.
Open houses will always go on regardless of the weather unless the University of Maryland at College Park is shut down due to a snow or other weather emergency. You can call the university at (301) 405-1000 or (301) 405-SNOW (7669) to find out about closures due to snow/ice/tornadoes. You can also call the Observatory information line at 301-405-6555. If the show is canceled, the recorded message will be changed to reflect that closure.
Learn more about weather and climate from the UM Meteorology Department
Special Accomodations
We can arrange for an interpreter for various languages, including sign language. To do this we need at least 2 weeks notice. Please call (301) 405-6555 or email Elizabeth in advance.
The lecture building and observatory building are wheelchair accessible, but to view through the telescopes it is necessary to climb up 2 or 3 steps on a ladder. If you feel you will need a little extra assistance to look through the telescopes, please call (301) 405-6555 email Elizabeth at least 5 days in advance.
Contact
Elizabeth Warner (Observatory Manager)
Email: ewarner[at]umd.edu
Phone: (301) 405-6555
Astronomy Department
Phone: (301) 405-3001
Address:
UM Observatory
Dept. of Astronomy
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Observatory Information Line
Phone: (301) 405-6555
History
Constructed in 1963, the University of Maryland Astronomy Observatory was initially seen as an important component of the teaching and research program in the Department of Astronomy. Public programs were started almost immediately to bring the excitement of astronomy to the University community and the general public. The growing lights of the DC Metro area have rendered the Observatory virtually useless for professional research; however, the facilities continue to play an important role in the education and outreach of the Astronomy Department. With more than 40 astronomy undergraduate majors, over 2000 students in our service courses and more than 2500 visitors each year, we have a very active site.