Robert A. Schommer Astronomical
Observatory
Rutgers, The State University of
New Jersey
<\H3>
Next Public Open Night
Thursday, 23 February 2012, 08:30 p.m. EST to 10:30 p.m. ESTStatus (as of 23 February 2012, 12:45 a.m. EST): It is supposed to rain tonight. So, we will probably not be open. A final decision will be made at 04:30 p.m. If you have any questions, please call 732-735-5483 and leave a message. Your call will be returned.
For general information, please call 732-445-5500 x2531 or 732-445-5500 x2503 (08:30 a.m. to 04:30 p.m.).
Schedule of Objects to be Viewed
February 2012
2nd Thursday (the 09th): NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Sirius, Jupiter, Mars, and the Moon (full)
4th Thursday (the 23rd): NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Sirius, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars
March 2012
2nd Thursday (the 08th): NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Sirius, Venus, Jupiter, Mars (near opposition), and the Moon (full)
4th Thursday (the 22nd): NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Sirius, Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn
April 2012
2nd Thursday (the 12th): h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Sirius, M5, M13, Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn (near opposition)
4th Thursday (the 26th): h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Sirius, M5, M13, Venus, Mars, Saturn, and the Moon (waxing crescent)
May 2012
2nd Thursday (the 10th): M5, M13, Vega, Venus, Mars, and Saturn
4th Thursday (the 24th): M5, M13, Vega, Mars, Saturn, and the Moon (waxing crescent)
June 2012
2nd Thursday (the 14th): M5, M13, Vega, Albireo, M57, M11, Mars, and Saturn
4th Thursday (the 28th): M5, M13, Vega, Albireo, M57, M11, Mars, Saturn, and the Moon (waxing gibbous)
July 2012
2nd Thursday (the 12th): M5, M13, Vega, Albireo, M57, M11, Mars, and Saturn
4th Thursday (the 26th): M5, M13, Vega, Albireo, M57, M11, Mars, Saturn, and the Moon (first quarter)
August 2012
2nd Thursday (the 09th): M5, M13, Vega, Albireo, M57, M11, Mars, and Saturn
4th Thursday (the 23rd): M5, M13, Vega, Albireo, M57, M11, Mars, Saturn, and the Moon (first quarter)
September 2012
2nd Thursday (the 13th): M5, M13, Vega, Albireo, M57, M11, M31, and Mars
4th Thursday (the 27th): M5, M13, Vega, Albireo, M57, M11, M31, Mars, and the Moon (full)
October 2012
2nd Thursday (the 11th): M13, Vega, Albireo, M57, M11, M31, NGC 457, and Jupiter
4th Thursday (the 25th): M13, Vega, Albireo, M57, M11, M31, NGC 457, Jupiter, and the Moon (waxing gibbous)
November 2012
2nd Thursday (the 08th): Vega, Albireo, M57, M11, M31, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, and Jupiter
4th Thursday (the 22nd): Thanksgiving Day (we will not be open)
December 2012
2nd Thursday (the 13th): M31, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Sirius, and Jupiter (near opposition)
4th Thursday (the 27th): M31, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Sirius, Jupiter, and the Moon (full)
January 2013
2nd Thursday (the 10th): M31, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Sirius, and Jupiter
4th Thursday (the 24th): M31, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Sirius, Jupiter, and the Moon (full)
Public Observing at the Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory
Members of the Rutgers University community and the general public are invited to observe the night sky through the 20-inch optical telescope of the Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month, weather permitting. The observatory is open for two hours starting at 8 p.m. (October through March) or starting about one hour after sunset (April through September, when it is not yet dark at 8 p.m.).
Observing will be canceled for that night if the skies are cloudy at the beginning of the observing session. Please check this web-site for the most up-to-date information.
Naked-eye visibility of satellites from the Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory may be found at the Heavens-Above Main Page .
Location
The Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory is located in the dome on the roof of the Serin Physics Laboratories on the corner of Frelinghuysen Road and Allison Road on the Busch Campus of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ. Directions are available, as is a simple gif map . Though be aware that Route 18 construction is changing the access to Busch from that highway -- follow the signs to the Busch campus. Park in lot 53 (between the building and the street) or lot 53A (about one block east on the other side of Frelinghuysen Rd). Enter the doors on the west end of the building (facing Allison Road) and take the stairs (left or right sides of the lobby) or the elevator (left side of the lobby) to the fourth floor.
Scientific
Highlights
Color Image of The Triangulum
Galaxy, Messier 33 (M33), taken with the CCD Camera on the 20-inch Optical
Telescope of the Robert A. Schommer Astronomical
Observatory
