Robert A. Schommer Astronomical
Observatory
Rutgers, The State University of
New Jersey
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No Public Open Nights Until Further Notice
Status (as of 13 April 2008, 06:15 p.m.): The aluminization of the primary mirror has failed. The telescope has been dismantled for a second time so that the primary mirror can be realuminized. The Public Open Nights will not resume until the primary mirror is properly realuminized and the telescope is back together. If you have any questions, please call 732-735-5483 and leave a message. Your call will be returned.
For cancellation notices on the evening of the Public Open Night, please call 732-735-5483 and leave a message. Your call will be returned.
For general information, please call 732-445-2531 or 732-445-2503 (08:30 a.m. to 04:30 p.m.).
Schedule of Objects to be Viewed
May 2008
2nd Thursday: Vega, M13, Mars, Saturn, and the Moon (waxing crescent)
4th Thursday: Vega, M13, Mars, and Saturn
June 2008
2nd Thursday: Vega, M13, Albireo, M57, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, and the Moon (waxing gibbous)
4th Thursday: Vega, M13, Albireo, M57, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter
July 2008
2nd Thursday: Vega, M13, Albireo, M57, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter (near opposition), and the Moon (first quarter)
4th Thursday: Vega, M13, Albireo, M57, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter
August 2008
2nd Thursday: Vega, M13, Albireo, M57, Jupiter, and the Moon (full)
4th Thursday: Vega, M13, Albireo, M57, M31, and Jupiter
September 2008
2nd Thursday: Vega, M13, Albireo, M57, M31, Jupiter, Venusian-Martian appulse, and the Moon (waxing gibbous)
4th Thursday: Vega, M13, Albireo, M57, M31, and Jupiter
October 2008
2nd Thursday: Vega, M13, Albireo, M57, M31, NGC 457, Jupiter, and the Moon (waxing gibbous)
4th Thursday: Vega, M13, Albireo, M57, M31, and NGC 457
November 2008
2nd Thursday: Albireo, M57, M31, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, and the Moon (full)
4th Thursday: Thanksgiving Day (we will not be open)
December 2008
2nd Thursday: M31, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, and the Moon (full)
4th Thursday: Christmas Day (we will not be open)
January 2009
2nd Thursday: M31, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, and the Moon (waxing gibbous)
4th Thursday: M31, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, and Venus
February 2009
2nd Thursday: M31, NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Venus, and Saturn
4th Thursday: NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Venus, and Saturn
March 2009
2nd Thursday: NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Saturn (near opposition), and the Moon (full)
4th Thursday: NGC 457, h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, and Saturn
April 2009
2nd Thursday: h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Saturn, and the Moon (full)
4th Thursday: h & χ Persei, M45, M42, Betelgeuse, Mercury, and Saturn
Public Observing at the Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory
Members of the Rutgers University community and the general public are invited to observe the skies 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 Messier 33 (M33)
taken with the CCD Camera on the Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory
20-inch Optical Telescope
