I hope that everyone had a great summer. Collins Observatory will begin the new season of Public Observing Nights starting on Monday, September 8, 2025, weather permitting. We will stay open until 10:00 PM, or later. Be advised that it won't be getting dark until after 07:30 PM. Please check back after 04:00 PM on that Monday for a final update.

Note: Collins Observatory will be open to all SSU students, faculty, and staff, and non SSU individuals.

Please check back on this site for any other changes, or updates about openings 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?

On September 8, 2025, Saturn (in Pisces) rises around 08:00 PM, and will rise earlier each evening after that.
On September 8, 2025, Uranus (in Taurus) rises around 10:15 PM, which will be too late for us to observe this week. It will rise earlier each night and will rise around 09:00 PM by the end of the month.
On September 8, 2025, Neptune rises just around 08:00 PM, and may be viewable later in the evening.
On September 8, 2025, The Moon will rise a little after 07:30 PM, and will be in its waning gibbous phase (one day past full) on September 8, 2025 (in Aquarius).

Visit us: Map

Located on Rt. 114, ( Lafayette St. ) in Salem, MA.

Parking is in flux – 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.

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