Harold E. Taylor Observatory
Through the vision of applied physics professor, Harold E. Taylor (1971 - 2001), the observatory was constructed in 1974 as a resource to inform, educate, and inspire our students and members of the community with the ever-changing display of the night sky.
The observatory hosted thousands of celestial viewings for 30 years until it lay dormant due to a broken transducer used to position the telescope. In 2018, physics alumnae, Miriam Saad, initiated a research project with physics professor Dr. Joseph Trout to refurbish the observatory's 1980s computer interface with modern technology.
After Miriam's graduation in 2018, Dr. Trout along with student physicists, Gracie Buondonno, Briena Feltner, Tara Jacobsen, Colleen Lindenau, and Courtney Weber, reassembled the telescope and installed an updated camera and guidance system through two Research Experiences for Undergraduate grants and a donation made in the name of Timothy Stout, a local amateur astronomer.
While working on the telescope, the students learned about the operation and management of the Meade LX-200 computer controlled telescope and will continue to assist Dr. Trout with running the observatory.
In the fall of 2021, the university received a very generous donation which enabled us to purchase a new 17" PLANEWAVE telescope. The telescope was installed July 2022 and is up and operational. It had its first light on August 18.
Show Your Support
Thank you all for your continued generosity! Your contributions have made a tremendous impact, allowing us to advance our research and provide education opportunities for not only our students, but the community as well. With your help, we were able to purchase a new 17" PLANEWAVE telescope in 2023, and a new camera system this fall. The addition of the camera system will assist with the students' research in evaluating atmospheric conditions and search for large scale structures in the universe. However, we are still in need of new filters and an image flip mirror to complete the telescope. With the filters, students will be able to isolate specific wavelenghts of light and focus on particular features.
With your help, we can continue to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos and inspire future generations of scientisits.
Donations are tax-deductible and part of the Corporate Matching Gifts Program.
Public Observatory Viewings
Our faculty and student volunteer physicists will guide visitors through a tour of the night sky. Observatory viewing events will be offered throughout the academic semester. Each viewing night has been chosen based on a featured object for that evening. Attendees should dress according to the weather.
Questions
Questions about the observatory events could be directed to the observatory@stockton.edu or through the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean's Office at 609.652.4546 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
Featured stories
Stockton University's observatory gets new telescope
New Telescope Offers a Look 'Deeper into the Heavens'
Students Lead Project to Refurbish Observatory - November 2019
Women Physics Majors Restore Stockton Observatory - November 2019
After 15 years, Stockton's Observatory Exploring the Skies Again - November 2019
The Essential Elements - Spring/Summer 2019
Picture Stockton...Reaching for the Stars - November 13, 2018
Observatory Renamed in Memoriam - April 2003
Observatory Spies the Sky - Fall 1974
Upcoming schedule
Before you head out to the observatory, please look up at the night's sky. If there
is cloud coverage, the viewing night will need to be cancelled. We cannot always send
cancellation notices. Please check the the website before you head out to the observatory for cancellations.
Please note: No animals are permitted.
Fall 2024 events will be every Thursday
How to Make a Reservation
