Advanced Technology Center Observatory and Observational Deck
Montgomery County Community College is pleased to have our newest scientific facility, The Advanced Technology Center (ATC), offering a new advanced smart classroom, observational deck, and observatory with a 16-inch Meade-Cassegrain Telescope. We currently hold all our astronomy classes in these new facilities and enjoy using our new observatory to give breadth and value to the topics we cover.
Location of the ATC and Observatory Facilities
The ATC building is located at the corner of campus nearest the entrance off Morris Road. There is a small parking lot for the ATC and additional parking can be found in the major Science Center lots. The dome of the observatory is visible at the top of one of the glass stairwells of the ATC. Enter through the main doors from the ATC parking lot and take the stairwell to the right. Follow those stairs straight up and you'll find the observatory at the top, one flight above the 3rd floor. The observational deck is located on the third floor directly accessible from the stairwell as well as the small lobby area near the same stairwell.
Observatory Events
Starting in Spring 2008, the observatory will be hosting public open nights in conjunction with the Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers (DVAA) and the Bucks Mont Astronomical Association (BMAA). Please continue to visit our website for updated schedules regarding observing nights. All are welcome from the youngest to the oldest members of your family. Spread the word so that we may all enjoy the beauty of the night sky.
Our events will use both Montgomery County Community College facilities, the observation deck and observatory. Some public nights will have the assistance of the DVAA and/or BMAA and their equipment while other events will be solely run by Montgomery County Community College faculty and students with the college's equipment. There will also be some solar events using the Montgomery County Community College Coronado 40 mm Solar Telescope and a selection of Coronado Personal Solar Telescopes to allow as many hands-on experiences possible.
Please see our schedule of master events for our observatory, DVAA, and MCAA observing as well as North Penn High School planetarium events.
Astronomy Curriculum
AST 120 Introduction to Astronomy
Future courses including planetary astronomy and advanced technologies in astronomy research are in progress.
