Public Viewing
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
April sessions start as darkness falls on Friday evenings (Around 8:30 p.m. through mid-month, then 9 p.m. by month’s end.) 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, and the observatory dome will also be open.
| Date | Observing Program |
|---|---|
| April 5 | Statewide Star Party Session Observing targets include: Jupiter, clusters, galaxies, nebulae, and double stars, plus eclipse information and assorted activities Moon: Not visible during the session |
| April 8 Solar Eclipse |
Solar Eclipse Viewing: in Parking Lot F, GTCC Jamestown Campus Safe. Solar-filtered telescopes will be set up for viewing the eclipse. The session lasts from 1:30-4:30 p.m., weather permitting. |
| April 12 | Feature: TBA Other targets include: assorted deep-sky objects Moon: Waxing crescent moon visible throughout the session |
| April 19 | Feature: TBA Other targets include: assorted deep-sky objects Moon: Waxing gibbous moon visible throughout the session |
| April 26 | Feature: Open clusters Other targets include: assorted deep-sky objects Moon: not visible during the session |
Sessions will continue in May.
May sessions start as darkness falls on Friday evenings (about 9 p.m. or a bit later by month’s end). 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 in the observatory is currently under repair.)
| Date | Observing Program |
|---|---|
| May 3 |
Feature: Last look at winter open clusters |
| May 10 | Feature: the Clown Face Nebula — planetary nebula in Gemini Other targets include: assorted galaxies, clusters, and double stars. Moon: waxing crescent moon visible throughout the session |
| May 17 | Feature: the Moon: rayed craters Other targets include: assorted deep-sky objects. Moon: Bright Waxing Gibbous Moon visible throughout the session. Will limit views of some dim objects. |
| May 24 | Feature: M104 — the Sombrero Galaxy Other targets include: assorted deep-sky objects Moon: Waning Gibbous Moon rises late in the session |
| May 31 | Feature: Galaxies M81/M82 in Ursa Major Other targets include: assorted deep-sky objects Moon: not visible during the session Moon: not visible during the session |
Sessions will continue in June.
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.
Monday, April 8 – Solar Eclipse Viewing, 1:30-4:30 p.m., safe solar-filtered telescopes will be set up in Parking Lot F on GTCC's Jamestown 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:
- 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.