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Information for Visitors:



Wagman Winterfest Website

2014 Wagman Observatory Schedule Brochure (PDF, 1.11 MB)

Location Details

Wagman Observatory
Wagman Observatory is inside Deer Lakes Regional Park, Allegheny County, within Frazer Township. Near Tarentum, PA. Near Sarver, PA., Near Russelton, PA. 40.626550 / -79.812950To reach Wagman Observatory, follow the Orange Belt (accessible from Routes 8 and 28) to Deer Lakes Park, near Russellton. Follow the road through the Park for 1.2 miles and turn left on to the Observatory grounds. Please use parking lights only when you drive through the gate. For additional directions or to check on the weather conditions, please call the observatory at 724-224-2510. If you get our voice mail or a busy signal, keep trying. We receive many calls for information just before and during the star parties.

225 Kurn Road

Tarentum, PA 15084-3205

get directions

check weather forecast

check clear sky chart

http://www.3ap.org/

Notes:

Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory in Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer Township, Pa., near the village of Russellton in northeastern Allegheny County and some 18 miles from Pittsburgh.
 
Wagman Observatory is one of two observatories owned and operated by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh. Often similar events are scheduled as well at AAAP's Mingo Observatory, Mingo Creek County Park, Washington County, Nottingham Township, PA 15332. 724-348-6150. Contact Mingo for more information. Mingo Creek Park Observatory is atop Mansion Hill Road Extension, beyond Shelter 10. 40.2110 N, 80.0190 W
 
What is a "star party?"
This is an opportunity for amateur astronomers, students and the general public to observe the wonders of the spring, summer or fall sky as the season changes the overhead view. Visitors will be able to observe the Moon depending upon Rise and Set, and planet which may be in view, along with a changing array of clusters, nebulae, constellations, possible comets, etc.,
 
Did you buy a telescope or get one as a gift and don't know how to use it?
Bring it along and members of the AAAP will be happy to help you learn how to use it!
 
Looking to buy a telescope, accessories, star charts and books?
Wagman Observatory is the place to start. We'll have free handouts, guides and booklets to point visitors in the right direction.
 
The Star Parties will be held WEATHER PERMITTING.
 
The public should call 724-224-2510 for more information.
 
For Media use only contact Tom Reiland at: H: 412-487-8326
Learn more about the AAAP and Wagman Observatory. Go to our web page at: www.3ap.org
 
The 400 members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh invite the public to Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory. More than 57,000 people have visited the observatory since its opening in 1987. Come and see what they've discovered and you've been missing.
 
Admission is free, though we gladly accept donations to cover the cost of operation.
 
To reach Wagman Observatory, follow the Orange Belt (accessible from Routes 8 and 28) to Deer Lakes Park, near Russellton. Follow the road through the Park for 1.2 miles and turn left on to the Observatory grounds. Please use parking lights only when you drive through the gate.
 
For additional directions or to check on the weather conditions, please call the observatory at 724-224-2510. If you get our voice mail or a busy signal, keep trying. We receive many calls for information just before and during the star parties.
 
AAAP Event List
Unysis Weather, United States
Unysis Weather, North East
Ir Flares  http://www.heavens-above.com/IridiumFlares.aspx?lat=40.626&lng=-79.82925&loc=Nicholas+E.+Wagman+Observatory&alt=100&tz=EST
ISS - Visible Passes  http://www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary.aspx?satid=25544&lat=40.626&lng=-79.82925&loc=Nicholas+E.+Wagman+Observatory&alt=100&tz=EST
GOCE Visible Passes for Wagman Observatory
 
Secret Space Plane X-37B Visible Passes for Wagman Observatory
 
AccuWeather.com Astronomy Forecast for Wagman Observatory
 
Rise and Set Times: Sun, Moon and Planets (Clicking "Search," displays table.)
WQED OnQ Video - Amateur Astronomers
Amateur Astronomers of Pittsburgh Website
AAAP on Facebook
Wagman Observatory is open to the public for scheduled public star parties, April - November, and to private groups, when scheduled in advance. Email: AAAP@3ap.org.
 
 
More Observing Resources suggested by Galileoscope.org online resources pages 27 -28 in pd fog Galileoscope Manual.
 
Observing Resources
There are many good observing resources available online. Here are some of the best free web sites and programs.
Stellarium: http://www.stellarium.org/
Stellarium is a free open source planetarium program. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Stellarium allows you to input your location, date and time and see what objects are visible in the night sky.
WorldWide Telescope:
http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/Home.aspx
Microsoft's WorldWide Telescope is a powerful program that allows you to explore the night sky. It can function as a traditional planetarium program but allows you to call up astronomical images from a variety of sources and create you own tours of the night sky. It is currently only available for Windows, but a web-based version is coming soon.
Google Sky: http://www.google.com/sky/
Google Sky is an extension of Google Earth that will function as a planetarium program in addition to allowing you to access images and data on astronomical objects. Clicking on any object brings up information on the object and links to images. You can see the night sky as it appears from anywhere on Earth.
Virtual Moon Atlas: http://www.ap-i.net/avl/en/start
The Virtual Moon Atlas is a free computer program that shows that allows you to make highly detailed maps of the Moon to assist in observations. You can find the phase of the Moon as well as rise and set times. You can find features by name and determine the best time to observe different features on the Moon. Available for Windows only.
Sky Charts:
http://www.stargazing.net/astropc/index.html
Sky Charts is a free planetarium program available for Windows. Once you enter your location and time, you can see what is visible in the night sky to help you plan your observations.
Uncle Al's Sky Wheel:
http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/starclock/skywheel.html
Uncle Al's Sky Wheel is a free printable planisphere. Once assembled, this sky chart can be set to help you find the constellations at any time of night for any night of the year. Sky Wheels are very useful if you are you are observing and do not have access to a computer at your observing site.
Heavens Above:
http://www.heavens-above.com/
 
Heavens Above is best known for its predictions of visible satellite passes. This site also has information on visible comets, the Moon and the planets to help you determine what is visible in the night sky. You can find rise and set times as well as locations for all the major planets and bright comets.
Go StargazeNight Sky Network iPhone app that connects you to astronomy clubs and their stargazing events within seconds. You can search for events near your current location or find out what's happening across the U.S.A.
Satellite Flybys from SpaceWeather.com
SpaceWeather.com a source for news and information about the Sun-Earth Environment.
AAAP on Facebook
AAAP Meetings on Twitter
 

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