Mattatuck Astronomical Society

Welcome to the
Mattatuck Astronomical Society
Home Page at

Naugatuck Valley Community College

About the Observatory:

The Mattatuck Astronomical Society (M.A.S.) Observatory was dedicated in 1985 with funding and support from both SNET and NVCC. Over the years, the observatory, which houses a C-14, C-8 and 5" Meade Refractor, has been used:

to educate the public

as a focal point for the college's astronomy program

continuing education program classes

and free public observation evenings

Public observation sessions continue to be offered the Thursday and Friday closest to first quarter phase of the moon each month (September through May - weather permitting) as well as during special events such as Halley's comet, Comet Hale-Bopp, etc.;

In May of 1997, the society dedicated an additional observatory at a 'dark sky' site located at the White Memorial Conservation Center. This observatory provides very dark skies and a 17" reflector telescope. Later this summer, we hope to have a 'Cookbook' CCD camera available for society use. Several members have one of these and a few of their pictures appear below.

>>MATTATUCK ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY - Fall 2000 Calendar <<

November -

	2 - Executive Meeting, 6^th floor student lounge, Ekstrom Hall, open to all members – 6:30p.m. At 7:00p.m. Student Astronomy Club. Program: “HBO” – Home Built Observatory
	4 - Public observing sessions at the Club’s Observatory at White Memorial And the NVCC Observatory. 8:00p.m.
	16 - Monthly Business Meeting to be held on the 4^th floor of Ekstrom Hall. 7:00p.m. Program: Wonders of Deep Space – Jim Butler
	25 - Public observing sessions at the Club’s Observatory at White Memorial And the NVCC Observatory. 8:00p.m.

December -

	2 - Public observing sessions at the Club’s Observatory at White Memorial and the NVCC Observatory. 8:00p.m.
	7 - Executive Meeting, 6^th floor student lounge, Ekstrom Hall, open to all members. 6:30 p.m. At 7:00p.m - NASA Moon Rocks in Room E440
	9- Public observing session at the NVCC Observatory. 8:00p.m.
	14 - Monthly Business Meeting to be held on the 4^th floor of Ekstrom Hall. 7:00p.m. Program: Creation of the Universe. Timothy Ferris

Note: The Astronomy Day program is made possible by a grant from The Waterbury Region Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Note: All observation sessions depend on clear skies. As a general rule observing is poor when the sky is 50% overcast or more and also, when the atmosphere is very hazy. As we progress into the summer months the sessions begin later to adjust to the extended daylight hours. Call the MAS Hotline at 575-8236 for additional information. Please leave a message.

	This image of the Orion Nebula was made through a 4"f5 reflector. It is a tricolor image (i.e.: taken through three separate filters - blue, green, and red) made 11/15/96. Jim Edlin
	This mosaic was made with a 16" f4.5 Meade reflector at Jim Hannon's observatory. It is two images of M51 pasted together and was made 3/96. Jim Edlin.
	This image of M57 was taken on 9/1/96 through the C-14 at f7 and is a tricolor picture. Jim Edlin.
	This is an image of Jupiter taken through a C-14 at f22 - south is at the top. Jim Edlin.
	This is an image of Saturn. Jim Edlin.
	The Horsehead Nebula in Orion - taken through a C-14 telescope at f7. This image is a composite of two pictures - one made up of 30 images of 30 sec. each and the other made of 48 images of 30 sec. each. The image was created by Jim Edlin.
	The Barred Spiral Galaxy - M95. This image is a composite of 40 images of 30 sec. each. This image was created by Jim Hannon.
	The Spiral Galaxy - NGC-2903. This image is a composite of 30 images of 30 sec. each. This image was created by Jim Hannon.