Learn to Use the Telescope
The Maryland Space Grant Observatory is available for individual use by trained members of affiliated institutions. We aim to schedule one training session per month to get acquainted with the telescope and its operation. No prior experience is required.
The training sessions cover:
- Observatory Access
- Operating the 20-inch Morris W. Offit Telescope
- Safety and Roof Rules
Training sessions last approximately 2-3 hours. To request a training session slot, please complete the registration form. Update 3/26/25: the training registration form remains closed because of our long waitlist but we plan to open it again before the end of spring semester. Please be advised, training opportunities are often in high demand and the typical wait time between signing up and being offered training is several months. For more information about training, contact us.
For the observatory procedures document, click here (note: this is a work-in-progress). To view the observatory’s availability for reservation by trained users, see the calendar in the Upcoming Events section.