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. New Jersey 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 New Jersey that offer programs for the public.
Disclaimer: This information was collected from the observatories’ websites in March 2026. 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.
Simpson Observatory
The Simpson Observatory is run and maintained by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton. Construction began in 1978, and the first Star Party was scheduled for March 23rd, 1979. It is located in Titusville, New Jersey.
Telescopes
The observatory is home to a 6.25” vintage Hastings-Byrne achromatic refractor, a 5” Explorer apochromatic refractor with a Mallincam video camera, and a 14” research-grade Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. The 6.25” and 14” telescopes are mounted on Software Bisque Paramount MEs and have automated control systems.
Visiting
On clear Friday nights from April through October, the Simpson Observatory opens its doors to the public from sunset to 11pm. The public is welcome to bring telescopes from home or look through the observatory’s telescopes.
Image Credit: Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton
Paul Robinson Observatory
The Paul Robinson Observatory is run by the New Jersey Astronomical Association (NJAA). It is located in High Bridge, New Jersey.
Telescope
The Paul Robinson Observatory is home to a 26” reflecting telescope on a modified German equatorial mount.
Visiting
The observatory’s hours of operation depend on the year. The year’s schedule can be found here. The public nights begin at 8:30pm with a brief history of NJAA followed by a tour of the facility. On the fourth Saturday of certain months, there will be a guest speaker. Also, on select Sundays, there will be a facility tour followed by solar viewing. This starts at 2pm.
Image Credit: Itinerant Wanderer via Flickr
Peyton Observatory
Run by Princeton University’s Department of Astrophysical Sciences, the Peyton Observatory is located in Princeton, New Jersey on the Princeton University campus.
Telescope
The Peyton Observatory is home to a 12” Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain reflecting telescope.
Visiting
If the weather allows, the department will hold informal open houses for the public once a month. The scheduled open houses can be found here. Visitors are welcome to come and go between the specified intervals.
Image Credit: PrincetonAstronomy.com
Robert A. Schommer Observatory
The Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory is run and maintained by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. It is located in the dome on the roof of the Serin Physics Laboratories on Busch Campus in Piscataway, New Jersey.
Telescope
This observatory houses a 20” optical telescope.
Visiting
The general public is invited to the Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory on the second, third, and fourth Thursday of every month, as long as the weather allows. Public open nights are announced here, as is the entire schedule for the observatory.
Image Credit: Rutgers University
William Miller Sperry Observatory
The William Sperry Observatory was dedicated on May 21st, 1967 in honor of William Miller Sperry, the father of Ms. Beinecke, who gave a $150,000 endowment to Union College for the observatory. The observatory is maintained by Amateur Astronomers, Incorporated (AAI). It is located in Cranford, New Jersey.
Telescopes
The Sperry Observatory houses two of the largest telescopes on the East Coast for amateur use, a 10” refracting telescope built by members of AAI, and a 24” Cassegrain reflecting telescope.
Visiting
Sperry Observatory is open to the public free of charge on Friday nights. Registration is not required. Most Fridays, the Observatory will conduct an informal talk, always followed by a viewing of celestial objects through the two large telescopes, weather permitting.
Image Credit: Sperry Observatory
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