Mayland Community College has reopened the Bare Dark Sky Observatory for community viewing nights and expanded its Earth to Sky Park. Renovations to the observatory have been completed. Some of the changes include the addition of eight telescope viewing stations for guests to bring their own equipment to use whether the observatory is open or not. Also the addition of a handicap-accessible ramp, a garden with native plants, a picnic shelter, paved parking spaces and more.
The Bare Dark Sky Observatory features the largest public telescope in the southeast. It is back open for community viewing nights each Friday and Saturday through the end of April, except for nights when there is a full moon.
COVID-19 guidelines are still being followed, which requires masks and social distancing. Only 20 people are allowed at the observatory at a time for community viewing nights, which means 18 guests in attendance and the two astronomers on site.
The Glenn and Carol Arthur Planetarium opens later this year and will be able to seat 60 people to view projections of the night sky within the building’s 36-foot dome.
Learn more about the observatory, planetarium and additional projects by visiting mayland.edu/foundation.
