Southwestern University: Fountainwood Observatory

Visit Soon

For up-to-date news and information about public viewing nights - including weather-related updates - call the Fountainwood Observatory Hotline at 512/ 863-1242.

Getting to SU

The Observatory is located on the northeast side of campus adjacent to the Rockwell Baseball Field.

From IH-35 take Exit #261 (Texas Hwy 29). Follow Hwy 29 east into Georgetown, approx. 1.3 miles. Turn left at Southwestern Boulevard.

Parking is available along Southwestern Boulevard, behind the Corbin J. Robertson Center.

Southwestern’s large research-quality reflecting telescope was donated to the Physics Department by Max Allen, a local engineer and builder who was also an amateur astronomer. This Meade LX-200 with Schmidt-Cassegrain* optics and a 16” primary mirror has a digital CCD camera for taking digital images that can be viewed and processed on a computer. This instrument is used by faculty and students for research, and programs of general interest to the public are conducted each month during the academic year.

Next Public Viewing

FRIDAY, April 27, 2012, 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM CDT.

The evening viewing begins with a waxing crescent moon high in the south western sky at sunset. As twilight slowly proceeds bright Venus will appear a little over 30 degrees to the west of the moon. Once brighter stars become visible so too will the planets Mars and Saturn. During this viewing Mars is seen high overhead while ringed planet Saturn appears low in the eastern sky. These and other spring celestial wonders will be available for public viewing through a variety of telescopes.

Note: This will be the last Fountainwood Observatory Public Night for the 2011-2012 academic year. Public Nights will begin again in September 2012. The new schedule will be posted in late August 2012.

On hand to guide viewing will be S.U. Physics Department faculty and talented observers from the Williamson County Astronomy Club. Fountainwood Viewing Nights are always FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. The Observatory is located on the northeast side of campus adjacent to the Rockwell Baseball Field.

Spring 2012 Calendar

PUBLIC NIGHT: FRIDAY, January 27, 2012, from 8:00 PM CST to 10:30 PM CST. Sunset 6:02PM CST. End Astronomical Twilight 7:25 PM CST. Moon, waxing crescent, 22.77%. The Moon is visible during the public viewing.

PUBLIC NIGHT: FRIDAY, February 24, 2012, from 8:00 PM CST to 10:30 PM CST. Sunset 6:25 PM CST. End Astronomical Twilight 7:46 PM CST. Moon, waxing crescent, 9.90%. The Moon is visible only during the first part of the public viewing.

SPECIAL FUNDRAISING EVENT: Saturday, March 24, 8:30 to 10:00 p.m. Yoga Under The Stars! Proceeds to help the Georgetown Animal Shelter and education and public outreach efforts at the Fountainwood Observatory. Details here. Space is limited. Please RSVP to reserve a space.

PUBLIC NIGHT:SATURDAY, March 31, 2012, from 8:00 PM CDT to 10:30 PM CDT. Sunset 7:49 PM CDT. End Astronomical Twilight 9:11 PM CDT. Moon, waxing gibbous, 63.18%. The Moon is visible during the public viewing.

PUBLIC NIGHT: FRIDAY, April 27, 2012, from 8:00 PM CDT to 10:30 PM CDT. Sunset 8:07 PM CDT. End Astronomical Twilight 9:34 PM CDT. Moon, waxing crescent, 36.68%. The Moon is visible during the public viewing.

CST = Central Standard Time
CDT = Central Daylight Time

Note: The Sunset, End astronomical twilight, and presented below are taken from the USNO Data Service. Between sunset and the end of astronomical twilight only the brightest objects will be visible. Moon phase data computed at 9:00 PM using the TheSkyTM V6.0 and using Austin, TX for coordinates.

2011 Best of Austin Award

The Austin Chronicle gave the Fountainwood Observatory a 2011 Best of Austin Award. Read what they said about the observatory’s public viewing nights here.

Observatory at Dusk

Photo: Shelley Dormont ‘11