Observatory Status
The weather forecasts are once again predicting cloudy skies with possible showers tonight. Therefore, Collins Observatory will be closed this evening, Monday, March 31, 2025. We will reopen next Monday, April 7, 2025, weather permitting.
Note: Collins Observatory is open to all SSU students, faculty, staff, and non SSU individuals. Masks are no longer required in the observatory.
Please check back on this site for any changes, or updates about openings, or COVID-19, protocols in the future.
Collins Observatory is normally open on CLEAR, or MOSTLY CLEAR Mondays from 7-10 PM, or later depending upon the time of sunset. We’re open during the school year from September to May, and are closed on school holidays, when the school is on vacation, mandated closings, and during the summer. It is also available for special group visits during the year when feasible.
The observatory houses a Meade 12-inch LX-200 ACF telescope, which does fairly well in the light polluted skies over Salem.
Please call the observatory at 978-542-6452, if you’re coming from a distance, as the weather is a bit unstable this close to the ocean.
Notes:
What’s up tonight?
- Mars is in the south/southwestern sky (in Gemini) as it gets dark. It is quite a bit dimmer, and smaller, as it moves away from us, but is still viewable through a telescope.
- Jupiter, though dimming is still very bright, and is in the western sky (in Taurus) as it gets dark.
- Uranus, visible in binoculars, is lower in the western sky (in Taurus) as it gets dark this week. The planet will be lost in the western twilight before the end of April, so view it while you still have time.
- M42, in the constellation of Orion, is still in the southwestern sky as it gets dark, and is rapidly moving towards the western twilight. So see it while you still can.
- The constellations Leo is up in the east/southeast as it gets dark this week, and Virgo shows a good portion of itself around 09:00 PM this week. Both of the constellations bring a wealth of galaxies with them (weather and Moon permitting).
Visit us: Map
Located on Rt. 114, ( Lafayette St. ) in Salem, MA.
Parking has improved – we suggest you attempt to use the new parking garage in the lower student parking lot, or the street, which is RT. 114, in front of Meier Hall. Meier Hall is the second building from the faculty parking area “A”, and next to the school theater. Enter through the front door on RT. 114. Go down the hall to the back of the building and take a left. There is an elevator about thirty feet down from there on your right. Go on the elevator and press floor “P” (sixth floor). Turn right upon leaving the elevator. Turn left after the double hall doors and go out the glass doors to the roof. Take the stairs on the left to the observatory.