Southern Maine Astronomers Telescope Open House

Southern Maine Astronomers announces the opening of its new facilities at 179 Neptune Drive at Brunswick Landing, and invites the public to its Open House on Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 1 – 3 PM.

“Our open house will offer an opportunity for people to come meet us and learn about astronomy, stargazing opportunities and telescopes,” said Robert Burgess, President of SMA.  “There’s been a tremendous growth in interest in astronomy since COVID but many folks get lost in how to advance that interest.  We have the expertise to help people along that learning curve.”  According to Burgess SMA is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that was established in 2004.  Since that time the club has hosted scores of star parties and school presentations throughout Greater Portland and Midcoast Maine, reaching more than 20,000 people. “Now with a permanent home on Neptune Drive at Brunswick Landing we are able to grow and expand our offerings to the community,” Burgess said.  The club is also active in efforts to protect dark Maine skies and curtail light pollution.

The Open House will display a variety of telescopes and binoculars with club members on hand to answer questions.  If weather permits the club’s special solar telescope will provide views of the Sun.  The club will also showcase its new astrophotography equipment that is both a teaching platform for those interested in night sky photography and also allows for “electronically-assisted astronomy” for groups, where deep sky images can be shown in real time, captured by a specialized camera.  “We plan to host regular monthly star parties at Brunswick Landing from May through November, as well as throughout our membership area,” Burgess said.  Information about those events can be found on the club’s website at www.southernmaineastronomers.org.