Dreyfuss Planetarium
Newark Museum, 49 Washington St., Newark, 973-596-6529 for schedules. Press 2 for weekly update on the night sky, sunrise, sunset and moon phase information. 24-hr. Sky Report: 973-596-6611. For the latest dates to see the space station and other satellites, visit www.heavens-above.com or link to it from the Newark Museum website. Wed.-Fri. shows at 2pm, Sat. & Sun. shows on the hour from 1-4pm. Adults $5, children under 12/srs./college students $3, not recommended for children under 4. Tickets available at the Information Desk when the museum opens on a first come, first served basis. Strollers are not permitted and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Planetarium shows are followed by a tour of the constellations and information on how to view the planets. Sphæra portable planetarium outreach program, 973-596-6690.
Thru Dec 31
Seven Wonders, ages 9 & up. Wed.-Fri. 2pm, Sat. & Sun. 4pm.
The Little Star That Could, ages 5-8. Sat. & Sun. 1 & 3pm.
Season of Light, adults & children 6 & up. Sat. & Sun. 2pm.
Dec 27-31
Holiday Fun Days, shows on the hour. The Little Star That Could, 1 & 3pm. Season of Light, 2pm. Seven Wonders, 4pm.
Jan 4-Apr 1
Seven Wonders, ages 9 & up. Wed.-Fri. 2pm, Sat. & Sun. 2 & 4pm.
The Little Star That Could, ages 5-8. Sat. & Sun. 1 & 3pm.
Jan 16, Feb 20
Vacation Fun Shows: The Little Star That Could, 1 & 3pm.
Seven Wonders, 2 & 4pm.
Feb 11-12
Circus Science Festival Shows: The Little Star That Could, 11, 1 & 3pm.
Seven Wonders, 12, 2 & 4pm.
Longo Planetarium
County College of Morris, Cohen Hall, B building, 214 Center Grove Rd., Randolph, 973-328-5076. Planetarium programs are presented to school groups during the week and to the public on select weekends. All programs begin with a tour of the night sky. Adults $10, srs. and children 12 and under $5. Reservations recommended. Call or visit website for upcoming programs.
William D. McDowell Observatory
Meadowlands Environmental Center, Two Dekorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, 201-460-8300. Open telescope viewing nights and astronomy workshops held throughout the year.
Mon & Wed
Public Viewing Nights, for all ages, weather permitting. Free, limited space.
Morris Museum Astronomical Society
973-971-3700. Meets at the Morris Museum on the second Thursday of every month at 7:30pm. Membership is open to ages 14 and older.
New Jersey State Museum Planetarium
205 West State St., Trenton, 609-292-6303. Weekend shows at 1, 2, 3 & 4pm. Tickets $5, available on first-come, first-served basis. 150-seat planetarium with high definition and Full Dome Video technology is open for public programs, school programs and Scouting Astronomy programs. Planetarium lobby includes interactive exhibits providing the latest astronomical information.
Dec 27-29
Laser Nutcracker Spectacular 3D, laser light show. 11 & 1. Adults $7, children $5.
May 11
Sky Observing Sessions, 7:30pm. Free..
North Jersey Astronomical Group
Free telescope nights Thurs. 8-9pm in front of Richardson Hall at Montclair State University, Montclair during the school year and skywatches for special events, weather permitting. Monthly kids' telescope nights begin at 7:30pm.
Robert J. Novins Planetarium
Ocean County College, College Dr. (parking lot 2), Toms River, 732-255-0343. Recorded show information: 732-255-0342. Public shows are presented Fri.-Sun. Adults $10, srs. $8, children 12 & under $7. School programs; portable planetarium; birthday parties; space store. The Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area (ASTRA) meets 7pm on the second Friday of the month and is open to interested people of all ages.
Ongoing
Wonders of the Sky, tour of the current season's night sky.
Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium
Rt. 28 & Lamington Rd. (Rt. 78 exit 26 or Rt, 22W), North Branch, 908-231-8805. Park in lot #1, 6 or 7. Admission $6 two shows on the same day $11, not recommended for children under 5. Reservations recommended. Group rates; school group shows; Starlab portable planetarium for rent to educators who have attended summer workshop. Also offers Project ASTRO, a program that matches teachers in grades 2-9 with a volunteer astronomer; Family ASTRO, a one-day training program open to anyone with an interest in astronomy; and astronomy workshops for teachers of grades 2-12.
Dec 17-18
The Alien Who Stole Christmas, ages 6-10. 2.
Winter Wonder Lights, holiday laser concert, ages 6-adult. 3pm.
Jan 7, 14, 28
Magic Tree House: Space Mission, ages 5 & up. 3pm.
Laser Light, 4pm.
Winter Skies, 7pm.
Jan 7, 21
Best of Pink Floyd, laser concert. 8pm.
Jan 14, 28
Laser Rock, laser concert. 8pm.
Jan 22
Rockin' Rocket Ride, 2pm.
Sky Lights, 3pm.
Feb 4, 11, 18, 25
The Little Star That Could, ages 6-10. 3pm.
Laser Kids, 4pm.
Winter Skies, 7pm.
Feb 4, 18
Laser Coldplay, laser concert. 8pm.
Feb 11, 25
Laser Zeppelin, laser concert. 8pm.
Feb 19, Apr 3
The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, 2pm.
Laser Kids, 3pm.
Feb 20
The Little Star That Could, ages 6-10. 2pm.
The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, 3pm.
Mar 3
The Little Star That Could, ages 6-10. 1 & 3pm.
Laser Light Waves, 4pm.
Winter Skies, 7pm.
Mar 3, 31
Laser Queen, laser concert. 8pm.
Mar 10, 17
Black Holes, 3pm.
Laser Light Waves, 4pm.
Winter Skies, 7pm.
Mar 10, 24
Laser 80s, laser concert. 8pm.
Mar 17
Laser U2, laser concert. 8pm.
Mar 18
Magic Tree House: Space Mission, 2pm.
Space Shapes & Tycho to the Moon, 3pm.
Mar 24, 31
Black Holes, 3pm.
Laser Light Waves, 4pm.
Spring Skies, 7pm.
Apr 4
Earth, Moon, Sun & Coyote, ages 7 & up. 2pm.
The Problem with Pluto, ages 8 & up. 3pm.
Apr 14, 21, 28
Solar System Odyssey, ages 8 & up. 3pm.
Laser Pop Rock, 4pm.
Spring Skies, 7pm.
Apr 14, 28
Laser Beatles, laser concert. 8pm.
Apr 21
The Wall, laser concert. 8pm.
Apr 22
Rockin' Rocket Ride, ages 3-8. 2pm.
Sky Lights, ages 4-8. 3pm.
May 5, 12, 19
Earth, Moon, Sun & Coyote, ages 7 & up. 3pm.
Laser Mania, 4pm.
Spring Skies, 7pm.
May 5, 19
Laser Rock, laser concert. 8pm.
May 12
Laser ELO, laser concert. 8pm.
May 20
Storybooks in Space, ages 4-8. 2pm.
Magic Tree House: Space Mission, 5 & up. 3pm
Paul H. Robinson Observatory
Voorhees State Park, 251 County Rd. Route 513 (rt. 78 to Rt. 31N), Glen Gardner, 908-638-8500. Memorial Day-Oct. 31: Sat. 8:30-10:30 & Sun. 2-5. Nov. 1-Memorial Day: 4th Sat 8:30-10:30 weather permitting (except Dec.). Sponsored by the New Jersey Astronomical Association, lectures begin at 8:30pm rain or shine followed by viewing until 10:30, weather permitting. Youth class offered by appointment for groups of five or more.
Robert A. Schommer Observatory
On the roof of the Serin Physics Laboratories, Frelinghuysen & Allison Rds. (park in lot 53 or 53A), Busch Campus of Rutgers, Piscataway, 732-445-5500, ext. 2531 or 2503. Open to the public for two hours on the second and fourth Thurs., weather permitting, starting at 8pm Oct.-March and one hour after sunset April-Sept.
John W. H. Simpson Observatory
Washington Crossing State Park, Titusville, 609-737-2575. The Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton opens its observatory to the public every Friday April-Oct. from twilight to 11:30pm, if weather is clear.
Sperry Observatory
Union County College, 1033 Springfield Ave., Cranford, 908-276-STAR. Monthly meetings of Amateur Astronomers, Inc. are held on third Fri. of the month from Sept.-May. Informal meetings are held on the remaining Fri. with a program for younger audiences at 7:30pm. All are open to the public. Celestial viewing takes place throughout the evening, weather permitting.
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Astronomy news, photos and videos compiled from space agencies, science journals and university research groups.