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The physics discipline and Physics Student Club conduct monthly public telescope viewings on the second Monday of the month, and additionally for astronomical events of interest. Please note that the weather conditions can influence observing. Check back here about two hours before your visit for updated information. Start times vary with sunset times.
If you are interested in visiting with a group, please contact the physics faculty at the University of Minnesota Morris.
No more Open Houses for 2025 - next year's schedule will become available in early January
No more Open Houses for 2025 - next year's schedule will become available in early January
The temperatures will be too low for the observatory for the remaining planned open observatory nights for 2025. We can not operate the observatory at temperatures below 10 F (problems show up already at 25 F). Very cold nights pose problems with ...
... focusing due to frost forming on lenses (similar to glasses), in particular with people breathing close to the eye piece.
... with thermal expansion. There will be a temperature differential between outside and inside, exposing the telescope to fluctuations in temperature. Thermal expansion and contraction is enough to change the sharpness of the image.
... the tracking mechanism. It becomes sluggish since the lubricant is very viscous (similar to how your car might sound bad when starting in very cold temps).
... people. We do not do so well below 10 F, in particular if touching metal and not moving that much in such cold conditions.
... potentially the dome itself, due to ice build up and cold.
We hope we can open up again soon. Sometimes, January or February have warmer periods - fingers crossed. Enjoy the winter nights with Orion and Auriga. Jupiter and Saturn will soon be both visible in the evening skies, soon joined by Mars.
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