UMBC Observatory Open House

Did you know that UMBC's Observatory has one of the largest optical telescopes east of the Mississippi? Ever wanted to see it up close, but didn't know how? This summer, the UMBC community is invited to attend several Observatory Open House events. You'll have a chance to visit the control room for the telescope and the dome to see the telescope itself, followed by a lively discussion about how the telescope works. Depending on the weather and sky conditions, the dome of the telescope may open for astronomical observations. The Observatory will be open to the public on June 6, July 10 and August 1. Light refreshments will be served.

On June 6, learn about the telescope -- one of the most important tools in the field and how it works. On July 10, discover the Messier objects, and finally on August 1, explore the Neutron stars. 

Please Note: The telescope is located in a dome on top of UMBC's Physics Building. Access to the dome involves climbing & descending two ladders, which may be a challenge to some visitors, including children under 5 years old, and people with physical disabilities. Please refer to the Dome Access page for more details.