Public Viewing
PUBLIC VIEWING SESSIONS
The Cline Observatory is open to the public for viewing every clear Friday night throughout the year.
Sessions are held if weather permits. In addition to viewing through the 24-inch telescope under the dome, we will have a variety of telescopes set up on our outside observing pad.
The viewings begin 30 to 45 minutes after sunset during March-October (determine sunset time for a particular date). Sessions usually last about two hours, but may run longer or shorter depending on interest and sky conditions. Our sessions are unstructured – there’s no program – just telescopic viewing.
Note that the observatory is open to the night air, and so will be cold in the winter and warm in the summer. Be sure to dress for the conditions.
For updates regarding how weather or other issues will affect this week’s session, check our Twitter Updates Page @gtccastro.
For other questions about the observatory and its programs, contact Tom English at trenglish@gtcc.edu or 336-334-4822, ext. 50023.
There is no charge for public night viewing and the observatory is open to anyone wishing to attend. No reservations are necessary, and there are no limits on the number of attendees. (We do ask that you let us know well ahead of time if you plan to bring a large group.)
Public Viewing Schedule
January sessions start at 7 p.m. on Friday evenings and last about two hours. Sessions are held if weather permits. We will have a variety of telescopes set up on our outside observing pad, and the observatory dome will also be open. This month features our last look at Saturn until late summer, but Venus comes into view at the sessions by late in the month.
| Date | Observing Program |
|---|---|
| 6 January | Feature: Planets, especially Jupiter, Saturn, Mars Other targets include: Double stars, clusters, Orion Nebula Moon: The bright Full Moon will be visible throughout the session, making some faint objects difficult. |
| 13 January | Feature: Orion Nebula Other targets include: Open clusters along the winter Milky Way Moon: Not visible during the session |
| 20 January | Feature: Andromeda Galaxy Moon: Not visible during the session |
| 27 January | Feature: M103 ("Two Spoons" Cluster) Other targets include: Orion Nebula, bright planets, double stars. Moon: Nearly First Quarter Moon visible throughout the session |
Sessions will continue in February.
February sessions start at 7 p.m. on Friday evenings and last about two hours. Sessions are held if weather permits. We will have a variety of telescopes set up on our outside observing pad, and the observatory dome will also be open.
| Date | Observing Program |
|---|---|
| 3 February | Feature: Planets, especially Venus, Jupiter, Mars Other targets include: Open clusters, double stars, Orion Nebula Moon: Waxing Gibbous, visible throughout the session |
| 10 February | Feature: Perseus Double Cluster Other targets include: Several planets, other clusters, Orion Nebula. Moon: Not visible during the session. |
| 17 February | Feature: Planetary Nebula NGC 2392 ("The Lion's Mane") Other targets include: planets, open clusters, double stars, Orion Nebula Moon: Not visible during the session. |
| 24 February | Feature: h3945 – colorful double star in Canis Major Other targets include: Planets, open clusters, Orion Nebula Moon: Waxing Crescent, visible throughout the session |
Sessions will continue in March.
Because of the time change and special events, March sessions will start at a variety of times. See weekly entries for approximate start times. Sessions will last about two hours and are held weather permitting. We will have a variety of telescopes set up on our outside observing pad, and the observatory dome will also be open.
| Date | Observing Program |
|---|---|
| 3 March | Public Lecture begins 7 p.m. at Koury Auditorium Observing begins after the talk (approx. 8:30 p.m.) |
| 4 March (Saturday) | TriStar Event. Presentations and displays throughout the day in Koury. Possible observing session in the evening. |
| 10 March (Session starts 7 p.m.) | Feature: TBA Other targets include: TBA Moon: Waning Gibbous Moon rises late the session |
| 17 March (First daylight time session starts at 8 p.m.) | Other targets include: TBA Moon: Not visible during the session |
| 24 March (Session starts 8:15 p.m.) | Feature: TBA Other targets include: TBA Moon: Waxing Crescent, visible throughout the session |
| 31 March (Session starts 8:30 p.m.) | Feature: TBA Other targets include: TBA Moon: Waxing Gibbous, visible throughout the session |
Sessions will continue in April.
Special Viewing Sessions – Eclipses, Transits, Etc.
Occasionally, Cline Observatory holds viewing sessions for special events such as eclipses, transits, or other remarkable astronomical phenomena. These sessions are presented in the same manner as our Friday public viewings, though if the situation requires, we may shift our portable telescopes to other locations on campus.
As with our Friday public viewings, all Cline Observatory special viewing sessions are free and open to anyone with an interest in astronomy.
Recent special sessions we have scheduled include:
- Total Lunar Eclipse May 15, 2022 (cloudy)
- Total Lunar Eclipse Jan. 20, 2019
- Expedition to Newberry, SC for Total Solar Eclipse of Aug. 21, 2017
- Partial Solar Eclipse Oct. 23, 2014
- Venus Transit June 5, 2012
- Lunar Eclipse Dec. 10, 2010 (cloudy)
- Total Lunar Eclipse Feb. 21, 2008
- Total Lunar Eclipse March 3, 2007
- Mercury Transit Nov. 8, 2006 (cloudy)
- Total Lunar Eclipse Oct. 27, 2004
- Venus Transit June 6, 2004 (cloudy)
Transits of Venus & Mercury
Three hundred visitors came to GTCC to observe the 2012 Venus Transit – a phenomenon that will not be seen on Earth again until 2117. For more information about this event and other transits, see our Transits page.
Lunar and Solar Eclipses
Cline Observatory is open for viewing lunar and solar eclipses visible in our area. Details about upcoming eclipses will be posted on our Eclipses page.
Meteor Showers
Cline Observatory DOES NOT hold special sessions for meteor showers because they are best observed without telescopes, and are usually best seen from dark locations between midnight and dawn.
The American Meteor Society provides an annual meteor shower calendar, guides to visual observation of meteors, and weekly updates on meteor activity. The International Meteor Organization provides annual shower calendars, visual meteor observing resources, and regular outlooks on meteor activity.