Fall 2016

Other Information

We can only set up the telescopes and open the observatory if it's clear out. We still run observatory tours, presentations, and planetarium shows, rain or shine. Weather Channel Forecast

Facilities include a 0.4 meter Ritchey-Chretien reflector in the main observatory, as well as one or two 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrains set up on the rooftop. From light-polluted Ann Arbor the best subjects for viewing are typically the planets, the moon, the constellations, and colorful binary star systems. We also can show you a few of the brighter nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies in the sky. Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars and lots of questions for the undergraduates. Keep in mind that the objects we can observe depend on the time of year so there are new things to see at each open house!

Angell Hall is also home to a planetarium, installed in August 2004. It projects more than 7000 stars, the sun, the moon, the planets, the milky way, and star clusters. Come see what the night sky looks like without light pollution! Planetarium shows are held during all open houses rain or shine. The first planetarium show starts at about 10 minutes after the scheduled start date for the open house and each show lasts approximately 35 minutes.
Our planetarium is wheelchair accessible, as well as the roof. At this present time, our telescopes are not wheelchair accessible.

Any questions regarding open houses should be sent to sas-officers@umich.edu