Adults 65 & up invited to reach for the stars with Astronomical Observatory tour  

February 23, 2024

Calling all stargazers who are 65 and up! Mark your calendars for a stellar event at Jackson College’s newest gem – the Astronomical Observatory.

You are invited for a free tour Wednesday, March 27, starting at 10:30 a.m. Explore this new facility with its state-of-the-art telescope and meet our new observatory coordinator, Talia Burns! For this daytime tour, guests will use solar telescopes to safely look at the sun. Learn about nighttime viewing events and information regarding the solar eclipse on April 8!

Don’t miss this out-of-this-world opportunity to tour Jackson College’s newest college and community resource. Register now with Affinity Liaison Katie Crowley by calling 517.325.3364 or e-mail CrowleyKathleeE@jccmi.edu.

About the Observatory

Jackson College’s Astronomical Observatory, completed last fall, features a high-powered telescope, the CDK700 with a 700-millimeter aperture. It sits on a 3-foot diameter pier, with brushless motors that allow for rapid, accurate turning of the instrument. The telescope sits inside the observatory building, with a dome that opens and closes to allow viewing. Additionally, an observatory pad includes four piers where stargazers may plug in their own telescopes.

For the seasoned astronomer or someone simply curious about the cosmos, this state-of-the-art observatory promises something for all. The observatory is located on the east side of campus. It is handicapped accessible, and nearby parking is available.