Arthur J. Pejsa Observatory

The Arthur J. Pejsa Observatory is located on the roof of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) Science Building. It houses a Meade 0.4m (16-inch) computer controlled telescope. The Observatory is only open when the skies are clear.

Public viewing is permitted three nights per week, when conditions allow, from 8:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. Observatory staff and students find and describe sky objects and allow visitors to observe them through the telescope. Monday evenings are specifically designated for the public, and although Tuesday and Wednesday evenings are used primarily by astronomy students, the public is welcome to join.

Public viewing begins in mid-September and ends with the UWSP Winter Break December 24. Viewings being again in late-January and run until the end of the academic year, usually mid-May. Visitors are advised to dress warmly in the winter since the Observatory temperature is the same as the outside temperature! The Observatory is closed during the summer.

The Observatory can be contacted from any touch-tone phone by calling (715) 346-2208. Select the Observatory option (number 3) from the automated attendant.  On Monday – Wednesday evenings the message is updated about 7:30 p.m. to give visitors the best estimate of the probability of clear skies and if the Observatory will be open.