Visit the Mendel Observatory

Stargaze Year ‘Round at the Mendel Observatory 

Families and astronomy junkies alike can get an eye full at the Mendel Observatory at Merrimack College, open for stargazing every Wednesday night starting at dusk (weather permitting) or 7 p.m. (whichever is later).

The Observatory, located in the Mendel Science Center on the Merrimack campus, is staffed by knowledgeable volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club and houses a 20” telescope and a number of electronic imaging systems.

When

Every Wednesday night at dusk (weather permitting) or 7 p.m. (whichever is later)

Where

• Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike Street, North Andover.
• Mendel Observatory: top floor, Mendel Science and Engineering Center

Contact

Inquiries can be made by calling Merrimack College at 978-837-5000 Ext.4360.
Weather permitting line is 978-837-5011.

More on the Mendel Observatory…

When special astronomical events of interest occur, such as the total lunar eclipse on October 27 and 28, 2004, the Observatory often holds special viewing times.

The instrument housed in the Observatory is an Optical Guidance Systems 20-inch Ritchey-Cretien reflector. This is the same type of optical system used in many modern telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope.

The Observatory was put in place when Mendel was built in the 1991 – 1993 timeframe. The telescope was donated to Merrimack College by the Ladies of Merrimack. The first director was Dr. Tom Morrill.