The UMass Dartmouth Observatory opens to the public on a monthly basis during the University's Fall and Spring semesters.
The UMass Dartmouth Observatory opens to the public on a monthly basis during the University's Fall and Spring semesters. Visitors can view the night sky through the observatory's 16-inch telescope and other telescopes operated by community members of the Astronomical Society of Southern New England. Admission is free. Children are welcome to attend, if accompanied by an adult.
Dates/times of spring 2020 observatory viewing nights:
- Saturday, March 28, 2020, starting at 8:00 pm EDT
- Saturday, April 25, 2020, starting at 8:30 pm EDT
- Saturday, May 16, 2020, starting at 8:30 pm EDT
Open houses take place only if the weather permits (that is, clear skies). In the event of cancellation, an announcement will be available by 5 PM on the day of the event on the Observatory events page or by calling (508) 999-8715 for a recorded cancellation message.
The UMass Dartmouth Observatory is located in the field to the right of the main campus entrance off Old Westport Road. Parking is available in designated spaces on the campus Ring Road or in lot 17.
For more information about the observatory, including photos taken through our telescope, please visit the Observatory website.
To support the operations of the Observatory or to become an individual or corporate sponsor, please contact Prof. Alan Hirshfeld at ahirshfeld@umassd.edu or 508-999-8715.