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August 2008 - Astronomy and Rocketry Summer Camp Registration page Click Here

new Feature  Abrams Planetarium Night Sky Notes
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new Feature  Monthly Moon Phase Calendar 2008
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           September 2008 October 2008   November 2008   December 2008
new Feature  Monthly Moon Phase Calendar with Libration 2008
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Public Star Party:  Friday August 1, Saturday August 2, Friday August 22 and Friday August 29, 2008
See details below

Morgan County Observatory
Latitude 39° 28′ 55.1″ N
Longitude 78° 13′ 18.04″ W

Observatory (click to view larger image)

The MCOF Public Star Parties will be held on Friday August 1, Saturday August 2, Friday August 22nd and Friday August 29, 2008 at 8:30 pm, at the Morgan County Observatory. There will be stargazing, refreshments, movies and hands on astronomy exhibits to entertain folks of all ages.

The Observatory will be open whether the sky is cloudy or clear. Check this website for last minute cancellations due to severe weather conditions.

To sign up for email notification of closing, Please email  MCOF President

MCOF would like to get the message out that all of us as citizens and business owners can help prevent light pollution by using minimal outdoor lighting, keeping all lights pointed downward, utilizing timers and motion detectors for outdoor lighting and turning off unneeded lights at night. These measures save money and energy, besides protecting our night sky from light pollution. For more information see:

http://www.darksky.org

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Directions to Morgan County Observatory

The Observatory is located on the grounds of the Greenwood Elementary School, 8989 Winchester Grade Rd (Rt 13), Berkeley Springs, West Virginia

From Berkeley Springs: follow Rt 522 South 2 miles and take a left on Winchester Grade Rd (Rt 13), then travel 9 miles. The Greenwood Elementary School (8989 Winchester Grade Road) will be on the left. Go past the school and then park at the Observatory Parking lot next to the Observatory.

From Winchester, Va.: follow route 522 North to Reynolds Rd (Liberty Gas Station on left). Make right turn and go 5 miles to end (Reynolds Rd changes to Winchester Grade Road at West Virginia state line.), then make right turn onto Winchester Grade Rd (Rt 13) and go 4 miles to the Observatory. For information call 304-258-1013

For more information, see the Star Parties page or Star Parties Archive and
Indoor Star Shows Archive pages.

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Upcoming events - Local Astronomy Groups

Star Parties

Morgan County Observatory - Public Star Party August 1st, 2nd, 22nd and 29th, 2008 at 8:30 pm.

Shenandoah Astronomical Society at Historic Long Branch - Public Astronomical Observing Session on Saturday evening July 26th, from 9 PM through 12 midnight

Novac - Northern Virginia Astronomy Club Public Observing Session August 13 at Crockett Park

National Air and Space Museum Events - Sky Meadows Public Observing Night - August 23

TriState Astronomers - October 10, 11 from dusk to 11:30pm (weather permitting) next to the Antietam National Battlefield Visitor center, Sharpsburg, MD.

University of Maryland College Park, MD Public Observing Sessions - 5th and 20th of each month

Analemma Society, Great Falls, Va Public Observing Sessions - Every Friday Night

Meetings

Shenandoah Astronomical Society Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 7:00pm. - Club Meeting at Lord Fairfax Community College, Middletown, Va.

Novac - Northern Virginia Astronomy Club Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 7:00 pm

TriState Astronomers Next meeting: None during summer. in the WCBOE William Brish Planetarium.

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The Links radio button contains links to 11 different topics which are listed below:

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2008 Spring/Summer Calendar

Viewing nights are Friday Evenings unless noted - Check website for cloudy/raindate

April 4, 2008

Public Star Party at Observatory 8:00 PM

April 18, 2008

Public Star Party at Observatory 8:00 PM

April 19, 2008  -  Saturday

Public Star Party at Observatory 8:00 PM

April 25, 2008

Public Star Party at Observatory 8:00 PM

May 2, 2008

Public Star Party at Observatory 8:00 PM

May 30, 2008

Public Star Party at Observatory 8:30 PM

June 6, 2008

Public Star Party at Observatory 9:00 PM

June 27, 2008

Public Star Party at Observatory 9:00 PM

July 5, 2008  -  Saturday

Public Star Party at Observatory 9:00 PM

July 25, 2008

Public Star Party at Observatory 9:00 PM

August 1, 2008

Public Star Party at Observatory 8:30 PM

August 2, 2008  -  Saturday

Morgan County Fair - Public Star Party at Observatory 8:30 PM

August 22, 2008

Public Star Party at Observatory 8:30 PM

August 29, 2008

Public Star Party at Observatory 8:30 PM

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Astronomy Now - Tonight's Sky

Amazing Space's - Tonight's Sky--- requires Flash Player 7

Astronomy's - Sky EventsThis website allows you to see up to 52 weeks in advance.

Sky & Telescope "This Week's Sky at a Glance"

Star Gazer by - Jack Horkheimer, The International Edition

The Sky This Week U.S. Naval Observatory

Earth & Sky Tonight's Sky

Night Sky Observer Robert Nugent's The Sky this month

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Hold a Private Star Party at the Observatory !

Have a Private Star Party with your friends. See the "Get Involved" web page for membership levels for this or contact Kevin Boles at 304 258-1013 for information on pricing for Number of persons attending/# of hours use/trained operator to run telescope.

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Clear Sky Clock



Click on a moon of Jupiter for more information.


Link to JPLs NightWatch

Link to NASA's Space Place

For more Astronomical Links click here: Astronomy Links Page

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Lunar Phases

Daily Moon Phases Calendar 2008

CURRENT MOON

All times displayed below are in UT except for the clock in the bottom block which displays local time

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1 New Moon
2 Waxing Crescent Moon
3 First Quarter Moon
4 Waxing Gibbous Moon
5 Full Moon
6 Waning Gibbous Moon
7 Third Quarter or Last Quarter Moon
8 Waning Crescent Moon
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Tonight's Sky:


Tonight's sky

Click the above image for a chart of the sky above Morgan County Observatory.
Popup blockers must be disabled. Charts courtesy of Fourmilab Switzerland.

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Link to United Way of West Virginia

Link to NASA's Space Place
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For broken links Please email MCOF Webmaster

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This Page Last Updated - July 28, 2008

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