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ASGH PUBLIC OBSERVING EVENTS
AT THE VAN VLECK OBSERVATORY
Please keep an eye on the weather.
If it is totally cloudy, raining or otherwise and we have no ability to see the stars, we will not open the telescope.
We will still be on site available to talk visual astronomy and telescope operation.
If you have a telescope where you need additional support, you may bring it even if we cannot observe. Our members can help walk you through setup and operation even indoors.
CHECK THIS SITE BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT
IN THE RARE CASE OF CANCELLATION DUE TO SERIOUS WEATHER & ROAD CONDITIONS!!
(Site is generally updated by 6pm the night of the observing session)
Cancellation notices will be posted on this web site by 6pm the day of the observing event.
Please be sure to press the "refresh" button on your browser to make sure you are viewing the most up-to-date version of the page.and observing.
Van Vleck Observatory, Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT
Hosted by volunteers from the Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford
Sponsored by the Astronomy Department, Wesleyan University
Join us for a look through the 20"-inch telescope. All who come will have an opportunity to see through the eyepiece, weather permitting.
We will be viewing prominent objects in the night sky such as the moon, globular clusters, planets, nebula or galaxies. The objects viewed will change each month, or even during your visit.
If you'd like to be automatically notified by email when sessions have been scheduled (or cancelled), please check out:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ASGH_Events/
Or send an empty email to asgh_events-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Scheduled Public Observing Next Date February 25, 2017 8-10 PM - Public Night |
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Note the start time change to 8 pm in November.
January 7, 2017 February 25, 2017 Alternate Night May 27, 2017 Commencement Weekend
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For parking please note that we are NOT permitted to park at the observatory building on observatory hill. Please use Lot V on Vine Street and walk up the hill to the observatory.
Click here for a campus map
John A. Sillasen Chairman, 20" committee - 
email to 
Dedicated in 1916 this telescope was not installed until 1922. The Alvan Clark company received the glass from a German manufacturer later than expected due to the war. The telescope has a focal length of 27' 6". The initial research program pursued on the 20" refractor, by then-observatory director, Frederick Slocum, was "the determination of the distances to the stars." The Astronomical Society of Greater Hartford provides programs in public viewing as well as aiding the astronomy department for other public events.
