Collins Observatory is still closed until further notice, due to another dome shutter failure which prevents us from opening and closing the dome. We are attempting to come up with a solution to the problem, so keep checking back. Note: This evening would normally be the last opening before the holiday break, at which time we would be closed for two to three weeks after that. I hope everyone has a great holiday break!

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?

Saturn (between Cetus and Pisces) is visible when we open.
Uranus (in Taurus) is up when we open, and should be viewable near the Pleiades (M45) open star cluster, about 6 degrees away to the lower right of M45.
Neptune (between Cetus and Pisces) may be visible with a telescope or binoculars when we open. It's about 5 degrees to the lest and up from Saturn this week.
Minor planet Ceres (in Cetus) is up when we open, and may be visible through a telescope, or binoculars at that time. It can be located less than 5 degrees away to the upper left of the star in the tail of Cetus this week.
Jupiter (in Gemini) is up before we open now. It is easy to find, since it is the brightest object in the night sky right now, next to the Moon.
M42 (the Orion Nebula) in Orion (the Hunter) should be up when we open this week, and should be above the murk, and high enough to observe clearly around 07:15 PM.
This is a great time to find the Great Andromeda Galaxy (M31) in Andromeda, just off the Square of Pegasus. Look almost straight up overhead. It is naked eye visible in an area without lights, and easily visible in binoculars. In binoculars you will also see the companion galaxy M32 as a small blob at the outer edge of M31's spiral arms.
Note: All the above times are current as of December 15, 2025, and the objects will continue to rise earlier as the days pass.

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.

Return to Previous Page