Summer 2009 Public Night Schedule

McCormick Observatory
DATE TIME OBSERVATORY FACULTY ASSOC.
Jun 5 9 - 11 pm McCormick Amanda Kepley Lisa May Walker
Jun 19 9 - 11 pm McCormick Tim Cassidy Ryan Lynch, Bill Dirienzo
Jul 3 9 - 11 pm McCormick Meredith Drosback David Whelan
Jul 17 9 - 11 pm McCormick Greg Sivakoff Joleen Miller
Aug 7 9 - 11 pm McCormick Rosie Chen George Trammell
Aug 21 9 - 11 pm McCormick Ming Sun Gail Zasowski


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 and graduate students participate through a rotating schedule. For more information, please call the info line at (434) 243-1885.



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).


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:


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.

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.


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 924-7494 to schedule a visit. Group nights are reserved quickly; it is advisable to reserve a group night up to several months in advance.

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