TELESCOPE VIEWING AT THE PLANETARIUM OBSERVATORY
Saturday Night Telescope Viewing is BACK starting Saturday, September 3! Join us on select Saturdays to enjoy free telescope viewings (dependent on clear skies and good weather).

Climb 60 steps to the top of the tower at the back of the Planetarium on selected Saturday nights to view planets and the moon (depending on date) through telescopes operated by knowledgeable volunteers from our local astronomy club, the Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Science (AS-RAS).

To confirm that the telescope is open, you can phone the Planetarium box office after 7pm at 585.271.4320 ext. 411, or check the astronomy club’s Facebook page.

VIEWING DATES AT THE PLANETARIUM THROUGH OCTOBER 2022:
(Weather Permitting)

Saturday, September 10 | 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Saturday, September 17 | 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Saturday, September 24 | 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Saturday, October 1 | 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Saturday, October 8 | 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Saturday, October 15 | 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Saturday, October 22 | 7:00pm to 9:30pm

Saturday, October 29 | 7:00pm to 9:30pm

TELESCOPE VIEWING AT IONIA, NY
Free telescope viewing is also available on selected dates at the astronomy club’s beautiful dark-sky observing site in Ionia. The site is officially called the Farash Center for Observational Astronomy. The exact address is 8355 County Road 14, Ionia, NY 14475. There is an attractive small sign marking the driveway into the location, but it is advisable to arrive well before dark to be sure you see it. To confirm that a viewing event is happening, check the astronomy club’s Facebook page.

Viewing dates at Ionia, weather permitting:

Friday, September 23 | 7:30pm to 11:00pm

Friday, October 21 | 7:30pm to 11:00pm

THE VOLUNTEERS BEHIND THE STRASENBURGH PLANETARIUM TELESCOPE
Every Saturday night, as many as 100 people come to view the heavens through a telescope at the Strasenburgh Planetarium, thanks to volunteers from our leading local astronomy club: the Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Science (ASRAS).

This active, friendly group has facilitated free telescope viewing at RMSC since the early 1960s. Most viewing today takes place at the top of a flight of 60 steps at the back of the Planetarium, the permanent home of a 12.5-inch-diameter reflecting telescope operated by ASRAS members. Club members often add telescopes of their own, either up on the observation deck or down at ground level.

Even though city lights surround the Planetarium, the moon, planets, and bright star clusters are still visible.

“A real telescope is important so you can see these sites for yourself,” says Jim Seidewand, ASRAS director of telescope activities at the Planetarium. “If you had the chance, which would you rather do — see the Grand Canyon in person or look at pictures on a computer monitor?”

ASRAS members help us out in the daytime too, presenting activities and information in the Planetarium lobby or the Museum.

ASRAS welcomes new members of all ages and experience levels. Monthly meetings take place at RIT or at the club’s dark-sky observing site, the Farash Center for Observational Astronomy in Ionia, New York.