The Department of Astronomy at the University of Maryland, College Park hosts Open Houses at the UMD Observatory on the 5th and the 20th of every month. On Open House evenings a guest speaker will give approximately a half hour talk about a topic in astronomy. The talk is followed by viewing of celestial objects through the observatory's telescopes, weather permitting. If weather does not permit viewing, the talk will still go on as scheduled.

Upcoming Speakers

  • Sunday, May 5, 9:00 pm
    Dr. Owen Parry on "How to Simulate an Apple Pie from Scratch"
    MC: Ron Ballouz

  • Monday, May 20, 9:00 pm
    Dr. Demerese Salter on "The ALMA Observatory: The Largest Astronomical Project in Existence"
    MC: Vicki Toy

  • Wednesday, June 5, 9:00 pm
    Shaye Storm on "Molecules and Dust ... in Space!"
    MC: Megan DeCesar

  • Thursday, June 20, 9:00 pm
    Dr. Tilak Hewagama on "Exploring Planetary Atmospheres: Follow the Trace Constituents"
    MC: Drew Hogg

  • Friday, July 5, 9:00 pm
    Elizabeth Warner on "Constellations"
    MC: Maggie McAdam

  • Saturday, July 20, 9:00 pm
    Dr. Derek Richardson on "How to Capture an Asteroid"
    MC: Sidharth Kumar

  • Monday, August 5, 9:00 pm
    Alice Olmstead on "The Wibbly-Wobbly, Timey-Wimey, Gravitationally Lensed Universe"
    MC: Thomas Shimizu

  • Tuesday, August 20, 9:00 pm
    Elizabeth Warner on "Prepping for comet ISON"
    MC: Jessica Donaldson