The Westport Observatory In Connecticut Is One Of America's Most Incredible Star-Gazing Spots
By Lisa Sammons|Published December 23, 2021
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Lisa Sammons
Author
Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
Stargazing can be a difficult hobby to have in modern times. With so many populated areas and major cities, even most suburban towns have too much light pollution to get a good glimpse of the stars. Many people aren’t aware that there is a great observatory in Connecticut that is open to the public weekly. On clear nights, the Westport Observatory offers amazing views through their state-of-the-art equipment. Whether you’re an experienced stargazer or are looking to develop a new hobby, this is the perfect place for viewing the night skies.
The Westport Observatory is in Westport at the town's highest point. You may know it by its former name, the Rolnick Observatory. It was founded in 1975 and is run by volunteers.
The 40-foot tall observatory tower is maintained by the Westport Astronomical Society. This group of science lovers meets monthly and the public is encouraged to attend.
Please note that the schedule may change due to weather. Views are drastically better on clear nights, and the observatory typically closes due to clouds or rain.
Volunteers will help you locate stars, planets, and nebulas. Regardless of your astronomy experience level, this is a great opportunity to learn more about the night sky.
It can be easy to get caught up in our daily lives and forget about the beauty that surrounds us. A trip to this observatory in Connecticut is a great chance to remember how much there is in the galaxy.
For more information about the Westport Observatory, check out the Westport Astronomical Society website. They have a list of upcoming open nights and also a calendar of lectures.
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