Observatory Programs

• Open House
• Special Events
• Learn the Sky Nights
• New Telescope Owner Nights
  
  
• Directions, Parking, Campus Shuttle
• Groups
• Special Accommodations
• Weather
• Contact Us!

Mars Observing Nights
Thu 21 Aug, 9pm GO! (250)
Fri 22 Aug, 9pm :-((
Sat 23 Aug, 9pm GO! (500)
Wed 27 Aug, 9pm :-((
Thu 28 Aug, 9pm GO! (800)
Fri 29 Aug, 9pm GO! (350)
Sat 30 Aug, 9pm :-((

Mars 2003 Observing Nights!

The special observing sessions set up for viewing Mars were quite succesful! 4 of the 7 nights were clear. And about 1900 people got to look through the Observatorys' telescopes over the 4 nights...

Mars Observing Nights
Thu 21 Aug, 9pm GO! (250)
Fri 22 Aug, 9pm :-((
Sat 23 Aug, 9pm GO! (500)
Wed 27 Aug, 9pm :-((
Thu 28 Aug, 9pm GO! (800)
Fri 29 Aug, 9pm GO! (350)
Sat 30 Aug, 9pm :-((

We will also observe Mars as part of our regular Open House programs in September, October, probably November and possibly into December.

Q: Are you going to have special observing sessions for viewing Mars?
A: YES!

The Observatory held special Mars Observing Nights in addition to our regular Open Houses during August 2003. The observing was weather-permitting only! A go/no-go decision was posted here (you may need to Ctrl-Shift-reload to get the most recent version of this page) and on the Obs. Info line 301-405-6555 by 6pm on the night of each session!

We had a much larger response than anticipated... which means that people had less time to look through the telescope. And because of the large crowd we had two telescopes to look through but you will only get to look through one of them -- the telescopes will be setup so that the views are similar so you won't "miss" anything.

The Observatory is in a wooded area, put on bug spray!

In general, smoking is prohibited around the telescopes... this also includes smoking "outside" because the smoke can drift into the open bays...

Absolutely no alcoholic beverages!! You will be asked to leave. (I would've thought this one was duh! but we did have some jerks drinking one night!)

There will likely be a media presence (newspaper, radio, tv) on some of the clear nights taking photos and videoing the crowd. Our staff will also be taking pictures and videoing for our website. If you do not wish to have your picture taken, do not come! By attending this public event, you are giving consent for us to take your picture.

These special observing sessions are FREE but we will gladly accept donations!! You do not need a reservation to attend.

PARKING: We anticipate a high interest in these special observing sessions. Please try to carpool as our parking lot is small (coming earlier will not help!). Extra parking is available at the UM Systems Admin lot across the street from the Observatory. PLEASE drive carefully as there will be many people coming and going.

DIRECTIONS: We do not have a street address! But we are located on the portion of Metzerott Rd that forms a triangle with Adelphi and Univ. Blvd. Detailed directions/map...

When to arrive: You do not need to be there right at 9pm!! You can come at 9:30 and stay for 10 minutes, you can come at 10pm and stay for an hour, you can come at 9pm and stay for 20 minutes and then leave and come back. The observing is very informal! In fact, Mars is not high enough at 9pm the first several nights for us to see right away, so we will observe other objects until Mars is high enough to observe.

BYO...T!: Bring your own telescope! If you have a telescope and would like to setup and observe on the concrete pad or grassy area, please do! I will not, however, be able to answer questions about setting up your telescope! The Observatory of course will have it's own scopes set up for observing for the public, but if you have a bad horizon at home and want to set up here, that's fine.

Last Updated: Wednesday April 23, 2008 by Elizabeth Warner