All Weather Event
Sunset 7:07 PM
Civil Dusk-7:36 PM / Nautical Dusk-8:11 PM / Astronomical Dusk-8:46 PM
Nightfall 8:46 PM
Shine at Sunset
Volunteers, Members and their guests (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.
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 available to dim lights at sunset (7:12 PM) for dark sky observation and photography. A laser guided sky orientation will be conducted during Nautical Twilight.
The campground is open for those who wish to stay the night. Campsites are 1/2 mile from observatory in a wooded location with obstructed views of the sky. Registration and campsite rental information link here.
Please note there is no sleeping in personal vehicles at the observatory.
Cloudy or Rain at Sunset
Observatory Operation Orientation : Ted and Jarred will be on hand for current members who wish to learn how to operate our telescope. We do not need a clear sky to teach others the functions of the software to control the telescope. We will meet inside Dome 1 from 7:30-9:00 PM. If no one shows up by 8:00, we will close up shop.