Observatories are home to some of the biggest and most impressive telescopes in the world. As many amateur astronomers know, there are numerous ways to experience the night sky beyond looking through a telescope in your own backyard. Maine has impressive observatories that offer a wide variety of star parties, tours, and observatory programs that will expand your knowledge of astronomy and your love of the night sky, whether you are new to astronomy or have been in the hobby for years.
For your convenience, we have compiled an alphabetical list of observatories in Maine that offer programs for the public.
Disclaimer: This information was collected from the observatories’ websites in July 2024. Some information may be subject to change if the websites are updated. If interested in visiting one of the listed observatories, please contact the observatory for the latest information before you visit.
Maynard F. Jordan Observatory
The Maynard F. Jordan Observatory’s construction began in 2012 as part of the Emera Astronomy Center at the University of Maine. The observatory and neighboring planetarium are located in Orono, Maine.
Telescopes
The observatory’s main attraction is the PlaneWave CDK 20 (Corrected Dall-Kirkham 20”) optical reflecting telescope. There is also the antique Alvan-Clark refractor and an Apogee CG16M monochrome CCD camera and 7-slot filter wheel.
Visiting
Many of the observatory’s public events start with the Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium. Tickets for the planetarium are $7 for Adults, $6 for UMaine students, Veterans, and Senior Citizens, $5 for children under 12 years old and can be purchased online via their website. A calendar of upcoming events can be found here
Image Credit: Waymarking.com
Starfield Observatory
The Starfield Observatory is located in Kennebunk, Maine and managed by the Astronomical Society of Northern New England. Opened on July 21st 2001, the observatory aims to educate children and the public about astronomy.
Equipment
There are two main telescopes houses at the Starfield Observatory: a 16” Meade LX200 GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope equipped with a GoTo system and an 8” f/15 Zeiss-Jena refractor that is outfitted for safe daytime viewing of the sun through Hydrogen-Alpha filter system.
Visiting
The Starfield Observatory offers an event called Star Parties for the public. These events allow the public a chance to look through the 8” f/15 Zeiss-Jena refractor and the 16” Meade LX200 GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain. The Star Party is held once a month in West Kennebunk, Maine (at the observatory). Solar views (with special filters) are also available along the planetary, galaxy, constellation, nebulae, and star cluster views. In order to request a Star Party, a form must be filled out. The form can be found here
Image Credit: StarfieldsObservatory.com
Stephens Observatory
The Stephens Observatory is located in Lewiston, Maine. It is part of the Physics & Astronomy department at Bates College. Located on the roof of Carnegie Hall, the observatory is home to a handmade telescope.
Telescopes
The observatory is home to a 12” Newtonian reflecting telescope. This magnificent telescope was a gift to the observatory in 1929. There are also several portable telescopes available for student use. These include an 8” Celestron, a 6” Meade starfinder, a Coronado Solarmax II 60, and eight 3” reflecting scopes with accessory photometers.
Visiting
For more information about the telescopes and visiting information, the Carnegie Science Hall should be contacted. Their information can be found here.
Image Credit: Stephens Observatory
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