Mount Cuba
Astronomical Observatory
Upcoming Programs
(Click on the events tab to make reservations)
Family Night Friday, January 17, 2025 8PM
FULL Public Night Friday, January 20, 2025 8PM Jupiter and Saturn the Royalty of the Solar System
Family Night Friday, February 7, 2025 8PM
Public Night Monday, February 10, 2025 8PM "Space Crop Production: Martian Agriculture"
Please register online or email for reservations. All reservations MUST be made by 1PM the day of the event.
Check out the video of the new telescope installation!
​Current Astronomical Events ​
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The Planet Parade
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Please see the link below for information about how to view the planets this month. https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/whats-up-january-2025-skywatching-tips-from-nasa/
The Occultation of Mars 2025 at MCAO
On January 13, 2025, the Moon occulted the planet Mars. This event was visible across the continental US. At MCAO, we were lucky enough to have the skies clear in time. The event began at 9:17 pm EST. Dr. Judi Provencal and her University of Delaware students, accompanied by the MCAO Chairman Dave Groski, waited in anticipation as Mars and the Moon inched closer together. Check out the images from the event.
The image above was taken by UD student Lauren Pribulick as Mars and the Moon moved closer. She took the image using her IPhone 15+ and an 11 inch Celestron with a 10 mm eyepiece.
The image above was taken by UD student Dajah Drummond as the Moon approached Mars. She took the image using her IPhone 14 and the Observatory's 4.5 inch refractor with a 9 mm eyepiece.
UD student Kevin Malone caught this view of the Moon at 8:32 pm. He took the image using his IPhone 13 and the Observatory's 11 inch Celestron with a 10 mm eyepiece.