Public Nights at The Hume Cronyn Observatory

Astronomy Public Nights at the Cronyn Observatory occur weekly during May though August, and monthly during the winter (October-April).

Fall Schedule:

The observatory is open once a month (usually the second Saturday) during the fall and on extra special occasions through our Exploring the Stars program.

Winter Schedule:

The observatory is open once a month during the winter months and on extra special occasions through our Exploring the Stars program.

Dates for Winter 2013: January 12, February 9, March 9, April 13. Start time: 7:00pm, closing time 9:00pm.

Summer Schedule:

The Observatory is open every Saturday evening during the months of May, June, July, and August.

Start time is 20:30 (8:30 p.m.). Closing time is 23:00 (11:00 p.m.).

The first summer public nigth for 2013 will be on Saturday, May 4; the last will be August 31.

There is no charge, and no reservations are necessary; come and go as you please throughout the evening. The University has free parking on the weekends; check the "Visitor Parking" link.

This is a time to view the skies through the telescope and to pose your favorite questions to the astronomer hosting the evening. Objects viewed vary with the season, but might include the Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, binary stars, star clusters, planetary nebulae, or galaxies. There is nothing like seeing these wonders with your own eyes! There will also be a presentation of general astronomical interest to be held in the lecture theatre at one or more times during the evening.

In the event of cloudy skies, the observatory will still be open for slides and a look at the telescopes, but closing time might be earlier.

Members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada are also on hand with their portable telescopes set up on our front lawn. If you're interested in doing some astronomy as a hobby, these are the people to talk to.