Edwin E. Aldrin Astronomical Center
The Edwin E. Aldrin Astronomical Center is the hub of our club’s activities. Named for second man on the Moon, a Montclair New Jersey native, this is where we hold our monthly meetings and educational events. NJ State Park System sometimes closes the road to the Observatory after heavy snowfalls. The NJAA will be closed when our road is closed. During inclement weather (cloudy, rain) our telescopes will be closed but the facility will remain open. For unexpected Observatory closures please (check the website/ call ahead) before coming out. The NJAA is proud to be part of NASA’s Night Sky Network - a nationwide coalition of amateur astronomy clubs bringing the science, technology and inspiration of NASA’s missions to the general public.
They share their time and telescopes to provide you with unique astronomy experiences at our observatory and under the night sky. The heart of the telescope is the primary mirror which is 26 inches in diameter. The instrument is currently a Newtonian with a focal ratio of f/4, but is soon to be converted to a Cassegrain design. The telescope mount, a modified German Equatorial, is from Indiana University, where it had been used in experimental work. Its mount is a massive iron casting nearly seven feet high and its foundation penetrates twenty feet underground to the mountain’s bedrock!
For more information, please visit http://www.njaa.org