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

(download a copy of the Fall 2013 Speaker schedule)

  • Thu, September 5, 9:00 pm
    Dr. Cole Miller on "Black Holes: Into the Abyss"
    MC: Zelong Yu

  • Fri, September 20, 9:00 pm
    Roberto Morales on "Satellites, Orbits and Tracking Stations"
    MC: John Capone

  • Sat, October 5, 9:00 pm
    Elizabeth Warner on "Constellations"
    MC: John Capone

  • Sun, October 20, 9:00 pm
    Dr. Robert Grumbine on "Astronomical Theory of Ice Ages"
    MC: Kari Helgason

  • Tue, November 5, 8:00 pm
    Dr. Doug Hamilton on "Titanic Collisions!"
    MC: Vicki Toy

  • Wed, November 20, 8:00 pm
    Dr. Drake Deming on "Kepler and the Search for Other Earths"
    MC: Shaye Storm

  • Thu, December 5, 8:00 pm
    Dr. Dennis Bodewits on "Comet ISON"
    MC: Gabriele Betancourt

  • Fri, December 20, 8:00 pm
    Dr. Mia Bovill on "The Southern Skies: Astronomy in Chile"
    MC: Holly Sheets

Get a sneak peek at our Spring 2014 schedule!