Public Observing Evenings

Fall Semester 2009

The telescope is on the roof of the science building, overlooking the west parking lot. Take the elevator or stairs to the 4^th floor and look for the metal door at the end of the hallway. Dress warmly – the dome is unheated and open to the sky!

If more than 30% of the sky is obscured by clouds (or rain, snow, hail, locusts, …) we will not open that night.

Looks like tonight will be clear!

Updated as of Saturday, November 14, 2009 3:37 PM

Date	Time	Notes Jupiter is visible in the southern sky all season. (The tiny blue dots of Uranus & Neptune will also be possible to spot with the telescope on a clear, moonless night.) Deep sky objects for fall include the Andromeda galaxy, the Hercules globular cluster, the Ring planetary nebula, and various open clusters.
Sat, Sept 26	7:30 - 9:00 pm	The gibbous moon will be visible. Deep sky objects will be difficult.
Sat, Oct 10	7:30 - 9:00 pm	Homecoming Weekend No moon; deep sky viewing.
Sat, Oct 24	Special Early Start for Kids 6:30 - 9:00 pm	The crescent moon will set by 8 pm. Come in the first hour to see the moon and/or the final hour for deep sky viewing.
Sun, Oct 25	7:00 pm Special Astronomy Event at the Morris Theatre Co-op Blast!	click on image for more details.
Sat, Nov 14	7:30 - 9:00 pm	No moon; deep sky viewing: Andromeda galaxy, Perseus open clusters, Hercules globular cluster, Ring nebula.

Printable PDF poster of this schedule 

Use a sky chart and binoculars to see the sights in a dark night sky.

See some Images taken with the UMM 16” Telescope in Morris, MN

Here is the powerpoint file from the Café Scientifique talk on March 27^th, 2008 including the finding charts for various open clusters, the ring nebula and the Andromeda galaxy.