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Information

Observatory Information

Here you'll find all the mundane details about the observatory like directions, parking, contacting us, groups,...

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!

Yet another graphic map of the area... thanks to UM Systems Admin! We are across the street from them!

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!

ASTR 100/101/120 Students

Fall 2007 -- Section XXX of ASTR100/101 and students in ASTR120 are required to attend.

Campus Shuttle

Students should take the "Powder Mill Village" route and disembark at System Admin. From there, it's a short walk over to the observatory. The bus makes a stop at the observatory itself on the return to campus.


Access to the Observatory via 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.


The University of Maryland Observatory is supported in part by:

Last Updated: Wednesday April 23, 2008 by Elizabeth Warner
University of Maryland UM Astronomy Department
CMPS
University of Maryland