Public Viewing Sessions
The Cline Observatory is open to the public for viewing every Friday night throughout the year as 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 at 7 p.m. November to February. From March to October, they start 30 to 45 minutes after sunset (determine sunset time for a particular date and see month-specific information below). 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 about 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.
Public night viewings are free, and the observatory is open to anyone who wishes to attend. No reservations are necessary. There are no limits on the number of attendees, but we do ask that you let us know well ahead of time if you plan to bring a large group.
Public Viewing Schedule
June sessions start around 9:15 p.m. on Friday evenings. Sessions last about two hours and are held if weather permits. We will have a variety of telescopes set up on our outside observing pad. The main telescope under the dome is currently out of commission.
| Date | Observing Program |
|---|---|
|
June 6 |
Feature: The Moon |
|
June 13 |
Feature: M104, the Sombrero Galaxy Other targets include: Mars, assorted star clusters, double stars, and galaxies Moon: Not visible throughout the session. |
|
June 20 |
Feature: Summer Globular Clusters Other targets include: Mars, double stars, galaxies Moon: Not visible during the session. |
|
June 27 |
Feature: M57, the Ring Nebula Other targets include: Mars, assorted star clusters, double stars, and galaxies Moon: Waxing Crescent Moon visible at the start of the session |
Sessions will continue in July.
July sessions start around 9:15 p.m. on Friday evenings. Sessions last approximately two hours and are held, weather permitting. We will have a variety of telescopes set up on our outside observing pad. The main telescope under the dome is currently out of commission.
| Date | Observing Program |
|---|---|
|
July 4 |
Feature: The Moon |
|
July 11 |
Feature: M64, the Black Eye Galaxy Other targets include: Mars, assorted star clusters, double stars, nebulae Moon: Waning Gibbous Moon rises late in the session. |
|
July 18 |
Feature: M13, the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules Other targets include: Mars, double stars, and galaxies Moon: Not visible during the session. |
|
July 25 |
Feature: M11, the Wild Duck Cluster Other targets include: Mars, assorted star clusters, double stars, nebulae, and galaxies. Moon: Sets just after the session starts. |
Sessions will continue in August.
Our August Friday sessions start at 9:00 p.m. at the start of the month, but as darkness gets earlier as the weeks pass, we will be starting around 8:30 p.m. at the end of the month. In general, we start about 45 minutes after sunset. Sessions last approximately two hours and are held, weather permitting. We will have a variety of telescopes set up on our outside observing pad. The main telescope under the dome is currently out of commission.
| Date | Observing Program |
|---|---|
|
August 1 |
Feature: M8, the Lagoon Nebula |
|
August 8 |
Feature: Albireo Other targets include: Mars, assorted star clusters, nebulae, and other doubles. Moon: Nearly Full Moon visible throughout the session. |
|
August 15 |
Feature: Dying Stars! Other targets include: Mars, assorted, star clusters, double stars, and nebulae. Moon: Not visible during the session. |
|
August 22 |
Feature: Summer Globular Clusters Other targets include: Mars, assorted double stars, nebulae, and other clusters. Moon: Not visible during the session. |
|
August 29 |
Feature: Touring the Summer Triangle Other targets include: Assorted star clusters, nebulae, and double stars. Moon: A Waxing Crescent Moon is visible during most of the session. |
Sessions will continue in September.
Note: The observatory is open on clear Friday nights throughout the year.
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.
Past special sessions:
- Partial Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024
- Partial Solar Eclipse Oct. 14, 2023
- 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.