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, January 5, 8:00 pm
    Dr. Tim Livengood on "Aurora on Jupiter"
    MC: Zelong Yu

  • Monday, January 20, 8:00 pm
    Jonathan Fraine on "AstroBiology"
    MC: Mahmuda Afrin Badhan

  • Wednesday, February 5, 8:00 pm
    Dr. Melissa Hayes-Gehrke on "Why are stars different colors?"
    MC: Krista Smith

  • Thursday, February 20, 8:00 pm
    Elizabeth Warner on "2014 Observing Highlights"
    MC: Tingting Liu

  • Wednesday, March 5, 8:00 pm
    Dr. Kelly Fast on "MAVEN"
    MC: Ashlee Wilkins

  • Thursday, March 20, 8:00 pm
    Dr Simona Giacintucci on "When Chunks of the Universe Collide"
    MC: Johnny VanLandingham

  • Saturday, April 5, 8:00 pm
    Dr. Warren Skidmore on "The Thirty Meter Telescope. The Next Generation of Ground Based Telescope. What, Why and How."
    MC: Qian Wang

  • Sunday, April 20, 8:00 pm
    Dr. Tom Statler on "Asteroid Hazards: NOT As Seen on TV"
    MC: Katie Jameson