Pejsa Observatory
EXPERIENCE THE NIGHT SKY THROUGH OUR LENS
NOTE: Pejsa Observatory telescope is not available for Fall 2023 semester. Instead, if there are clear skies on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 8:30-10 p.m., viewings will be available starting Monday, Sept. 11, through portable telescopes. Meet at the north end of Coleman Field, the track located on the north end of campus at the corner of Maria Drive and Reserve Street. Street parking is available.
Located on the roof of the Science Building at the UW-Stevens Point campus, the Arthur J. Pejsa Observatory houses a 0.4-m (16-inch) Meade, computer-controlled telescope. Normally the observatory is open for public viewing three nights per week (if the skies are clear) during the school year. Monday nights are specifically designed for the public while Tuesday and Wednesday nights are used primarily by astronomy students, but anyone is welcome.
Public viewing runs from mid-September to mid-December, then late-January through mid-May. Most summers the observatory is closed. In the winter, dress warmly since the observatory temperature is the same as the outside temperature.
The Arthur J. Pejsa Observatory is staffed by knowledgeable astronomy students and staff who will find and describe various interesting objects that can be seen in the current night-time sky. The staff will then allow visitors to observe them through the telescope. Access to the observatory is obtained by using the southwest stairwell in the Science Building and going to the fourth floor, room D402. Visitors are best advised to go to the third floor and follow the signs to the observatory by accessing the southwest stairwell. Viewing is available-if skies are clear-on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, from 8:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
NOTE: IF SKIES ARE CLOUDY THE OBSERVATORY WILL BE CLOSED. ALSO, IF THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW ~10 DEGREES WE WILL ALSO DECIDE TO CLOSE DUE TO TECHNICAL CONSTRAINTS RELATED TO COMPUTER SCREENS, POOR COOMUNICATION BETWEEN COMPUTERS, TELESCOPE, AND DOME.