New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority

William D. McDowell Observatory

IMPORTANT ADVISORY

Valley Brook Ave. Lyndhurst (south end) will be closed for improvements beginning April 28.  This road work is projected to conclude in 3 – 4 weeks.

To access the NJSEA/Richard W. DeKorte Park/Meadowlands Environment Center during this period, you need to detour to Disposal Road.

  • Enter “Disposal Road, North Arlington” in your navigation system (car or smart phone); or
  • Click here to use the Google Maps to navigate the detour.

NOTE: The signpost at the top of Disposal Road is labeled “Silkowski Rd.”.  Silkowski Rd. leads into Disposal Rd.

Once you are on Disposal Road, follow it until the end and turn right into DeKorte Park.

The William D. McDowell Observatory is open on Wednesdays, year-round, weather permitting.

Viewing sessions are for ages 10 and up. Hours vary by season. April and May hours are 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

There is no cost for viewing sessions and advance sign-up is not necessary,

Please call the Observatory hotline each Wednesday for operating status. The hotline number is 201-460-4001 and will be updated by 4 p.m.

What You’ll See

Directions

Planning Your Visit:

  • The Observatory is neither heated nor air conditioned so that the telescope will operate properly. Please dress for the weather.
  • The Observatory holds up to 15 people at one time. Arriving at the start of the evening is recommended to minimize wait time.
  • While visitors wait to enter the Observatory, staff will discuss the telescope, what will be visible and other aspects of astronomy.
  • There is no fee and advance sign-up is not necessary.
  • To access the Observatory, a visitor must be able to climb a 25-step, spiral staircase.  The stairs have railings on either side, approximately 2 feet apart.

About the Telescope

  • The hand-made, research grade Classical-Cassegrain telescope has a 20-inch mirror and is housed within a six-meter retractable dome. The telescope is capable of viewing objects millions of light years away.
  • The telescope is capable of seeing the moon, planets and their moons, nebulas, star clusters, individual stars, and galaxies.

Background

  • The NJSEA William D. McDowell Observatory opened to the public on Sept. 8, 2008.
  • The Observatory is operated through an understanding between the NJSEA and Bergen Community College.
  • The Observatory’s namesake, William D. McDowell, was the first Executive Director of the agency, serving from 1972-1978.

For more information, email info@njsea.com, or call 201-460-1700 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.