Dreyfuss Planetarium
Newark Museum, 49 Washington St., Newark, 973-596-6529
24-hr. Sky Report: 973-596-6611. Wed.-Fri. shows at 2pm, Sat. & Sun. shows on the hour from 1-4pm. Adults $6, children under 12/srs./college students $4, not recommended for children under 4. Tickets available at the front desk on a first come, first served basis. Strollers are not permitted and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Planetarium shows are followed by a tour of the constellations and information on how to view the planets. For Sphæra portable planetarium outreach program, call 973-596-6690. For the latest dates to see the space station and other satellites, visit Heavens Above website or visit the Planetarium's Sky Watch page at the Newark Museum Planetarium website.
Emil Buehler Observatory
Bergen County Community College Technology Education Center,
400 Paramus Rd., Paramus, 201-447-7100
Fri
Public Viewing Nights, Fridays 8-11pm, weather dependent.
Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium and LSC Giant Dome Theater
Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City, 201-200-1000
Visitors get an 89-foot full-dome view of the night sky and distant galaxies in the largest and most technologically advanced planetarium in the western hemisphere. Visit website for planetarium shows, films or laser shows daily.
Kean University Planetarium
Science Building, 1000 Morris Ave., Union, 908-737-3660
Email: planetarium@kean.edu
Open for special events and group visits.
Longo Planetarium
County College of Morris, Cohen Hall, Room 207
214 Center Grove Rd., Randolph, 973-328-5000
Explore the universe from the Earth and other planets in our solar system to stars, galaxies and beyond. All tickets $10, reservations recommended, online reservations are strongly encouraged. Public programs run on the sceond and fourth weekend of the month.
William D. McDowell Observatory
Meadowlands Environment Center
Two Dekorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, 201-777-2431
Open to the public for telescope viewing nights and special events. Visit website link for schedule.
Wed
Public Viewing Nights, open Wed. 7-10pm Dec.-Feb., from 8pm beginning in March, weather permitting.
Morris Museum Astronomical Society
973-637-0178
New Jersey's oldest astronomy club meets eight times a year on the second Thursday of the month at 7pm at the Morris Museum. Membership is open to ages 14 and older; families welcome.
New Jersey State Museum Planetarium
205 West State St., Trenton, 609-292-6464
Public shows are offered on weekends during the school year; plus weekdays during school vacations and summer. Adults $7, 12 and under $5, available on first-come, first-served basis. Printable coupon online for $1 off. 150-seat planetarium is open for public programs, school programs, scouting astronomy programs and birthday parties.
North Jersey Astronomical Group
973-594-6524
Free telescope nights Thurs. 8-9pm in front of Richardson Hall at Montclair State University, Montclair during the school year and skywatches for special events, weather permitting. If telescope night is cancelled, a message will be left at 973-594-6524. Monthly meetings of the NJAG are held on the second Wednesday of the month (except Aug.). Free and open to the public.
Robert J. Novins Planetarium
Ocean County College, College Dr., Toms River, 732-255-0343.
Recorded info: 732-255-0342
Public shows are presented Sat., additional weekdays during summer. Adults $10, srs. $8, children 12 & under $7. School programs; portable planetarium; birthday parties; space store. The Astronomical Society of the Toms River Area (ASTRA) meets 7pm on the second Friday of the month and is open to interested people of all ages.
Ongoing
Planetarium Shows include tour of the current season's night sky; children's shows; laser shows. Visit website for schedule and tickets.
PJ Night, family-friendly show for all ages.
Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium
118 Lamington Rd., Branchburg, 908-231-8805
Park in lot #1 or 7. Admission $8; two shows on the same day $14, not recommended for children under 5. Evening laser shows are recomended for ages 12 and older. Reservations recommended. Group rates; school group shows; Starlab portable planetarium for rent; special star shows for children on the Autism Spectrum.
Ongoing
Public Star Shows, Laser Concerts, for all ages. Visit website link for schedule.
3M Observatory is open on Saturday nights from 7-10pm, weather permitting.
The Sky Above, Sensory-Friendly Show, one-hour show adapted for families with children on the autism spectrum or with developmental disabilities of all ages. 5pm.
Paul H. Robinson Observatory
Voorhees State Park, 251 County Rd. Route 513, Glen Gardner, 908-638-8500
Memorial Day-Oct. 31: Open Sat. 8:30-10:30pm and Sun. 2-5pm. March & April: Open 4th Sat. 8:30-10:30pm.
Sponsored by the New Jersey Astronomical Association, evening sessions include night sky observing and daytime sessions include solar viewing, weather permitting. On the 4th Sat. from March through Oct., a guest speaker presentation begins at 8:30pm followed by Q&A and tours of the facility. Reservations required for groups of 10 or more. Star Lab portable planetarium program available.
May-Oct
Young Astronomer's Programs, hands-on activities for ages 7-13 monthly on Sat. May-Oct. 6:30-8pm. Advance reservations recommended, space is limited.
Robert A. Schommer Observatory
Serin Physics Laboratories Roof, 136 Frelinghuysen & Allison Rds.
(park in lot 53 or 53A), Busch Campus of Rutgers, Piscataway,
848-445-8973 or 848-445-8785
Open to the public for two hours on the second and fourth Thurs., weather permitting, starting at 8:30pm Oct.-March and one hour after sunset April-Sept.
John W. H. Simpson Observatory
Washington Crossing State Park, 1224 Bear Tavern Rd., Titusville, 609-737-2575
The Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton opens its observatory to the public every Friday April to the end of Oct. from sunset to 11pm, if weather is clear.
Sky & Telescope
Astronomy news and this week's sky at a glance.
Sperry Observatory
Union County College, 1033 Springfield Ave., Cranford 908-276-STAR
Monthly meetings of Amateur Astronomers, Inc. are held on third Fri. of the month from Sept.-May. Informal presentations are held on most other Fri. and observatory is open 7:30-10:30pm, weather permitting. Presentations for youth groups can be arranged in advance. All meetings are free and open to the public. Membership is open to anyone 12 years or older.
1st Fri
What's Up: A Down to Earth Sky Guide, celestial happenings for the month are normally presented at the first Fri. meeting. 8:30pm