Observatory Public Night Program and Schedule

For the Public Night Information Line: (434) 243-1885

Purpose

To provide the public with a chance to observe the stars and planets through the McCormick telescopes and to educate the public concerning the research work and history of the observatories.

Brief Description

Each public night includes observing with all of the telescopes (weather permitting), audio-visual presentations, museum exhibits, and tours of the Observatory. All faculty, postdocs and graduate students participate through a rotating schedule. Please call (434) 243-1885 for the Public Night Information Line.

McCormick Public Nights

Leander McCormick Observatory is open on the first and third Friday night of each month (except holidays) for 2 hours. McCormick Observatory is located on the western edge of the UVA grounds (click here for directions).

Please Note: Owing to the crowd size, groups cannot be accommodated at McCormick Public Nights. Please read the section below concerning group visits.

Please call (434) 243-1885 for the Public Night Information Line.

Fan Mountain Public Nights

Each April and October, a special public night is held at the Fan Mountain Observing Station (located 13 miles south of town at the end of a gravel road). Tickets, which are free, are required for Fan Mountain public nights (except for Friends of the Leander McCormick Observatory). Send a self-addressed stamped envelope, along with the number of tickets requested (up to 6), to:

The next Fan Mountain Public Night will be April 13th, 2012; tickets will be available after March 1st; please do not mail requests before March 1st, 2012.

Fan Mountain Public Night 
P.O. Box 400325
Charlottesville, VA 22904-04325

A self-addressed stamped envelope MUST be enclosed or tickets cannot be sent. For the April Fan Mountain Public Night, send requests starting March 1st (the supply of tickets is usually exhausted by the third week of March). Likewise, for the October Fan Mountain Public Night, send requests starting September 1st (the supply of tickets is usually exhausted by the third week of September). Tickets will be mailed out 2-3 weeks prior to the open house.

Please call (434) 243-1885 for the Public Night Information Line.

Friends of the Leander McCormick Observatory do NOT need tickets for Fan Mountain Public Nights, they should simply bring their membership card up the mountain with them.

Please Note: Owing to the demand for tickets, groups cannot be accommodated at Fan Mountain.

Group visits

The Leander McCormick Observatory is open to Educational Groups with ADVANCE RESERVATIONS on the SECOND and FOURTH Friday night of the month. Groups MUST call (434) 924-7494 to schedule a visit. Group nights are reserved quickly; it is advisable to reserve a group night at least several months in advance.

Please Note: Owing to the demand for tickets, groups cannot be accommodated at Fan Mountain.

The Astronomy Department can be contacted at (434) 924-7494, or by email at jdh7h@virginia.edu.