Dunwoody Observatory
Georgia Perimeter College, Dunwoody Campus
TODAY'S STATUS
Date:      5/12 *********************************************************

Our monthly Open House is cancelled, due to overcast.  Please try again next month:  6/9

Also, watch for special Open House 6/5: Transit of Venus.  This is when the planet Venus tracks across the Sun shortly before sunset.  We will set up our solar telescope to observe this.

Current HIGHLIGHTS:  Venus, Mars, Saturn;  Star cluster M35; Globular cluster M3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telescope Viewing by Appointment:  For students and visitors, Monday through Friday.  See info below to make arrangements to visit the dome and use the telescope(s).

Outside viewing platform open anytime campus is open.  Bring your telescope/binoculars/eyes.  See contact below for more info.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions, see below.

Recent Images with the Celestron 14" SCT

 

 STUDENTS:

See Sign-Up instructions below.

 

 

VISITORS:

Please arrive before 10 pm.

Follow signs to parking and observatory.

See map below.

Campus Map

___________________________

 
Current Status

OFF
Start time: 9:00 pm

 

 
Site:       Dunwoody Dome

(West of LRC)
Weather: Clear
Upcoming dates:

 

  
Reserved dates:   (For special groups)

 
Next Open House:

6/9/2012
   
   

(This page last updated 05/12/2012 06:27:04 PM)

Viewing Calendar For Summer:

(To be updated soon.)

  ****SomeImages*****

 
Moon  

 

 RECENT IMAGES

with the Celestron 14" SCT
Moon
Mercury   Venus
Venus   Mars
Mars   Jupiter
Saturn   Saturn
Jupiter    
Uranus    
Neptune    
Pluto    
Deep Sky   Uranus

STUDENT SIGN-UP: Telescope viewing by appointment:

1 Make an appointment

Select a date you would like to use the telescope. (Try to anticipate clear skies.)  Then, at least two days in advance:

  •  Email a request to dpenly@gpc.edu.  Indicate the date you would like to observe, and what you would like to do. (For example: general viewing; imaging; photometry; etc.)
  •  Or use the sign up sheets outside room NC 1320 (Astronomy Lab). 

Telescope Observing Lab

Instructions & Report

(Follow link below)

ASTR 1010L
2 Confirm your date.

 If there are no conflicts, your chosen date will be put on the observing schedule.  Check this site or the observing status sheet outside the lab room. 

 

  
 

3

 

 Check observing status on your scheduled date after 6 pm.  Observing is dependent on the weather.  We make a call about whether observing is on or off at 6 pm.  
 

4

  

Show up at the posted site and time.  Night observing generally starts 45 minutes to an hour after sunset - see the Status box, above.  Dress warm!  Daytime observing (e.g. for sunspots) can be arranged also.

 

  

General information about the observatory:

1 Anyone may use the observatory.  Students should schedule telescope time as above ("Telescope viewing by appointment").  Visitors may attend an Open House session (2nd Saturday each month, bar rain) or they may schedule a time to visit, as above ("Telescope viewing by appointment").  This is particularly appropriate for small groups.
2 There is no fee.  We only ask that you abide by dome safety rules, and help us accommodate everyone.
3 Children are welcome.  Those under 12 should be accompanied by adults.  Please, no running or other horseplay.
4 There is no seating, bathrooms, refreshments or heating in the observatory.  It is a working scientific facility, intended to enable students to do real-world work in astronomy.  If you are a visitor, think of it as a science laboratory.
5 The dome is 15 feet in diameter.  This is spacious for our purposes, but small compared to an observatory like Fernbank.  We need to limit the number of people inside to 12.  (15 if there are many "little people".)
6 Safety rules:

1.  Please pay attention to the Dome Operator at all times.  Be aware that the dome is a machine, not a building.

2.  Entry is through the door when the Dome is in the home position only.

3.  Only the Dome Operator may open the door.  This is important!

4.  No running or other horseplay.

5.  When inside the dome, keep away from the wall (1 foot), and the telescope when it is slewing.  Both the dome and the telescope rotate as we look at different regions of the sky. Both have powerful motors.  Do not lean against the wall.  Do not turn your back on the telescope. Pay attention to what is going on, as you are likely to get disoriented as the dome and telescope rotate.  This means you should limit any cell-phone conversations to the bare necessities (say, 15 seconds).  Sorry, but if you need to chat, you should not be inside the dome.

6. Please do not pick up or disturb any items or equipment unless invited to do so by the Dome Operator.

7. Please park in the parking lots.

 
7. The viewing pad around the dome is an excellent site for viewing the skies.  Your eyes are the best astronomical instrument in the world.  The solar system, our galaxy, the universe are all there to see if you know how to look.  A telescope shows the details, but only your eyes can take in the Big Picture.
8. Telescope piers.  We have four piers on the pad for mounting telescopes.  These piers are solidly mounted for stability and are a much better option than a tripod for setting up a telescope.  Visitors are welcome to make use of these.  Contact us about fitting your scope to a pier.  (We can get mounting plates for specific models of telescope mounts.)
9. Binoculars are another option for the viewing pad.  Ask if you would like to use a pair, or bring your own.
10. For other info, email  dpenly@gpc.edu.