16-inch telescope
Public Programs at Jenny Jump

The UACNJ provides free public programs from April through October, on Saturday evenings from 8:00 to 10:30 p.m., at which an astronomy presentation is followed by stargazing with the observatory's telescopes  (weather permitting). All programs are held on-site at the UACNJ Observatory at Jenny Jump State Forest.
Click Here for Directions
 
Our regular weekly Saturday Night Public Programs have resumed as of April 5, 2008.

Date Topic
 Speaker(s)
Apr. 5 What's Up in the April Sky Karl Hricko
Apr. 12 Touring the Sky with Binoculars
 Jim Norton
Apr. 19 Small Bodies of the Solar System
 Al Witzgall
Apr. 26 Thomas Young, 18th Century Genius Alan Zuckerman
May 3 ASTRONOMY DAY Click Here for Flyer
2:00 p.m. Comets, Asteroids & Meteors
Kevin Conod
3:00 p.m. Tunguska: 100 Years of Mystery Al Witzgall
4:00 p.m. Low Budget Astronomy
Jim Norton
8:00 p.m. Measuring Galaxy Motion with the Hubble Space Telescope
Dr. Slawomir Piatek, NJIT
May 10 Buying or Building a Telescope Jim Norton
May 17 Characteristics of Space Mark Shoengold
May 24 Cosmic Origins of the Chemicals Walter Rothaug
May 31Our Satellite - The MoonAaron Zuckerman
June 7What's Up in the June SkyKarl Hricko
June 14Astronomy in Paper MoneyGordon Bond
June 21TBA
TBA
June 28The Mars Rovers in 3D
Ken Kremer
July 5What's Up in the July SkyKarl Hricko
July 12How Telescopes WorkJoseph Molnar
July 19TBA
Andrew Gerard
July 26Comets, Asteroids and Meteors
Kevin Conod
Aug. 2What's Up in the August SkyLonny Buinis
Aug. 9TBA
TBA
Aug. 16TBA
Jerry Vinski
Aug. 23Exploring the PlanetsJoseph Molnar
Aug. 30TBA
TBA
Sept. 6 What's Up in the September SkyLonny Buinis
Sept. 13 TBA
TBA
Sept. 20 Getting Into Space
Mark Shoengold
Sept. 27 Annual Astronomy Symposium
2:00 p.m. Optical Delusions of MarsLonny Buinis
3:00 p.m. The Sun as a Star, Stars as SunsDr. Dale Gary, NJIT
4:00 p.m. The Messenger to MercuryAl Witzgall
8:00 p.m. TBA
TBA
Oct. 4 What's Up in the October SkyLonny Buinis
Oct. 11TBA
TBA
Oct. 18TBA
TBA
Oct. 25TBA
TBA


Tips for Visitors
  • Dress warmly! The observatory is located 1,100 feet above sea level and is on an exposed hill. It is often colder than you might expect, even in the summer, so dress appropriately.
  • Keep in mind that in late June and early July, due to Daylight Saving Time and the Summer Solstice, it does not get dark until after 9:30 p.m.
  • The observatory is located in a state forest. The only facilities available to the public is a port-a-john.
  • The grounds of the observatory must be kept as dark as possible. We  do encourage you to bring a flashlight - however, we ask that it be a red light (cover your flashlight with a couple layers of red plastic). White light will ruin our night vision. Also, flashights should always be pointed down at the ground, not up or into telescopes. Remind kids that flashlights are not toys. Jedi Knights will be asked to surrender their 'weapons'.
  • Food is not available (except for select special events). A soda machine is available for cold beverages ($0.75 - exact change appreciated - bring some quarters).
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