RATO and Roll TopObservatory Park at Turner Farm

The Analemma Society holds Friday Night Public Viewing Sessions at Turner Farm in Great Falls, VA.

Every clear Friday night

7:30 to 9:30 PM through April 5.
Then 8 to 10 PM from April 12 to May 3.
Then will shift to the 8:30 to 10:30 PM summer hours starting May 10.

 

We maintain 4 telescopes in the Roll-Top Observatory for public viewing.  In addition, we continue to invite the public to bring their own telescopes and set up outside the Roll-Top or as the weather warms, bring their own binoculars for observing on the grass. There is a lot to see in the night sky.

These public observing sessions at Observatory Park are open to all. Check the Event Notice box on this website or  @AnalemmaSociety on X (formerly twitter) under the Observing Update Tweets link for open or cancel updates on the Friday public viewing sessions.  The Observing Page also has sky weather updates.   Wear appropriate clothing - nights can be very chilly. The Roll-Top observatory has an enclosed classroom, but the observatory room is not heated and is open to the sky.

Breaking the Attendance Record

The combination of Scout Groups and Green Comet watchers brought 285 visitors and students to Observatory Park at Turner Farm on a very cold (18 deg and windy) Friday Night on February 3rd.  In June on one clear Firday night we had over 300 visitors.  For the Perseid Meteor Shower in August we had more than 2000 visitors at Observatory Park, Turner Farm.  Come join us. And, don't forget to sign up with Fairfax County Parktakes for courses at Observatory Park at our Roll-Top Observatory and Educational Classroom at Turner Farm

Here's what's up in the sky for March 2024

  • Planets:   Jupiter, Saturn,
  • Minor Planets: 4 Vesta (in Taurus)
  •  Moon
 
  • Double Stars:
    • Almach (Gamma Andromadae)
    • Mesarthim(Gamma Aries)
    • Iota-1 Cancri
    • Beta Monoceros
    • Castor
    • Rigel
    • Sigma Orionis
    • Algieba (Gamma Leonis)
    • Mizar/Alcor (Ursa Majoris)
  • Stars with Color:
    • Capella
    • Aldebaran
    • Betelguese
    • Pollux
    • Hinds Crimson Star
    • UU Aurigae (Carbon Star)
  • Globular Clusters:
    • M79 (Lepus)
  • Open Clusters:
    • M45 (Pleiades)
    • M44 (Beehive)
    • M34, M35 (Gemini)
    • M36, M37, M38 (Auriga)
    • Double Cluster (NGC 869/884)
    • M41 (Canis Major)
    • M50 (Monoceros)
    • M46, M47 (Pupis)
    • NGC 2264
  • Planetary Nebulae:
    • NGC 2392 (Eskimo Nebula)
    • NGC 1535 (Eridanus)
    • M97 (Owl Nebula)
    • M76 (Perseus)
  • Bright Nebulae:
    • M42, M43 (Orion Nebula)
  • Galaxies:
    • M81, M82 (Ursa Majoris)
    • M31 (Andromeda Galaxy)
      • M32 & M110 Satellite Galaxies 
    • M65, M66 (Leo)

 

Viewing

There are 4 telescopes set up for viewing in the Roll-Top observatory including a 7" high quality refractor.  For public sessions, we may also have telescopes set up outside the building along the walkway to look through. Members of the public are welcome to bring their own telescopes and set them up as well. If you bring your own telescope equipment and have not been at one of our public sessions before, we recommend you contact one of the volunteers first upon arrival so we can guide you on where to set up.

When you pull into the access road leading into the park, follow the road to the parking lot that will be to the left. Please put your headlights on low when entering the parking lot.  All visitors must park in the parking lot. Enter through the pedestrian gate in the Northwest corner of the parking lot and follow the walkway up to the Roll-Top building (the squat building with the moveable roof). For public sessions, the Analemma Society will have a coordinator present to greet people and provide directions. But if the coordinator is busy or providing assistance inside the building, enter through the gray door on the walkway side of the Roll-Top building.

These events are very weather dependent.  Check the Event Notice box on this website or the @AnalemmaSociety (formerly twitter) account under the Observing Update Tweets link for open or cancel updates on the Friday public viewing sessions.

A final note:  We have had several requests asking about bringing their dog to the park.   Dogs are not allowed into the Roll-Top or RATO observatories and classroom unless they are service dogs.  Having your well behaved dog outside on a leash is allowed by the FCPA.  Picking up after your dog is a must.

M27 750x600Ever wonder what telescope to buy?  Refractor, Reflector ... Big Scope or a Little Scope ... Dobsonian Mount ... or maybe just a good pair of binoculars and a star catalog.  As they say, this isn't rocket science.  Here's an excellent article: So You Wanna Buy a Telescope - Advice For Beginners by Ed Ting.  Ed walks through the type of telescopes and eyepieces and even the types of binoculars that will help you get started with a great view of the sky.

"The simplicity part is important...Beginners need early success, and the 6" or 8" aperture is big enough to throw up a bright image of most common celestial objects.