Clear Sky at Sunset Only
Observation Opportunity
Sunset 7:27 PM
Civil Dusk-7:54 / Nautical Dusk-8:26 / Astronomical Dusk- 8:59
Nightfall 8:59 PM
Volunteers, Members and their guests and interested Amateurs (from any astronomy group or society) are welcome to set up their own personal gear to observe from the amphitheater of the Ryan Observatory. This opportunity provides members with a secure dark sky location and practice with your equipment. With good conditions, we can see the Milky Way from the Observatory site. Observatories will be open dependent on volunteers. Visitor center is not open other than bathroom use.
This is also a good time for our volunteers to grow their observatory ‘situational awareness.” Time operating the telescopes is excellent practice to grow ones skill set. Volunteers can learn tips from each other. There is no planned programming, no speakers, just members and volunteers using their own gear.
A Rittenhouse Representative will be on site to track attendance and dim lights at Civil Dusk for dark sky observation and photography. A laser guided sky orientation will be conducted at 9:30 PM.
NO sleeping is permitted in personal vehicles at the observatory. Muddy Run Campground is open for the season and has overnight campsites.