Home About NOVAC Join NOVAC FAQ What's New Meetings Observing Sites Public Viewing Robotic Telescope Telescope Making Member Images Links Solar SIG Resources Newsletters Photos Officers Contact Weather Light Pollution Sun and Moon Occultations Site Map Forums Members Only

The MD Fringers: Observing from Southern Maryland

Welcome to the Southern Maryland Fringe webpage. This page is devoted to providing information to support those NOVAC members who live in Southern Maryland. While mostly a Virginia group, there are a number of NOVAC members who live in Maryland.

Observing from Southern Maryland

There are a number observing options if you live in Southern Maryland. These range from a site associated NOVAC to sites associated with other clubs to visiting the primary NOVAC sites in Virginia.

NOVAC has entered into a formal arrangement to allow NOVAC members to observe from the Aquasco Farm section of the Patuxent River Park in extreme southern Prince George's County. Details are here.

If you know of other interesting observing locations in Southern Maryland (Prince Georges county and southward), please contact me at bbunge(at)ladyandtramp dot com.

UMd Observatory

The Unversity of Maryland operates an observatory in northern Prince Georges county, just inside the beltway, that has scheduled open houses. While not an observing site, it's worth a mention.

Tuckahoe State Park

The Delmarva Stargazers use a ball field near the campground area of Tuckahoe State Park. The site is located on the Eastern Shore, about 20 minutes from the Bay Bridge and is marked on this light pollution map with a "Th". The site is behind a locked gate in the winter and is regularly patrolled by rangers in the summer. Skies here are dark enough to do plenty of deep sky observing and the folks are very friendly. You must be a member of DSG to use this site! A slightly different location at Tuckahoe is used as the site for the twice-a-year Delmarva Star Gaze.

Nanjemoy Creek

This site is operated by the Southern Maryland Astronomical Society and includes a 16 foot dome and warm room at the Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center (NCEEC) . NCEEC is a gated facility, you must be a member of SMAS to use this site. Located in rural Charles county, the site is about a 60 minute drive from Bowie. Skies are dark, specially to the south.

Southern Park, Charles County

Located in the extreme southern park of Charles County, on the Potomac river, Southern Park is an informal, unofficial observing site with several pros and cons:

  • Dark skies, especially to the south
  • Easy drive off Route 301
  • Park officially closes at dark
  • Regularly patroled by police, who sometimes welcome the presence of observers
  • Parking lot frequently visited by local teenagers
  • Parking lot and grass field area flashed by incoming car lights
  • Mosquitos in the summer!
Here's a Google Map. This site is right on the edge of the "green" zone on the Cinzano light pollution maps. Driving directions. Take Route 301 south to Rt 257, the last light before the bridge over the Potomac River. Go right. Stay on 257 ~10 miles, look for signs for Southern Park, make a left on Wilson Road. We've set up either in the parking lot in the grass just inside the wood fence. Park includes fishing pier, playground and picnic areas. Drive time from Bowie is about one hour.

Aquasco Farm

Aquasco Farm is a 840-acre agricultural site located in the rural, southern, part of Prince George's County along the banks of the Patuxent River. Much of the land is still actively farmed by contractors. Other uses of the propery include a Girl Scout camp, a beagle training club and fall bow hunting. Aquasco Farm is managed under the as part of the Patuxent River Park. The farm is located in the "orange" zone on the Cinzano light pollution maps. This makes it a good suburan observing site. Drive time from Bowie is about 35 minutes.

Rules

By agreement, NOVAC members using Aquasco must display a Patuxent River Park "special-use" parking permit. Permits are available on a annual or daily basis. Permits can be purchased at the Visitors Center (Jug Bay Natural Area). Call 301-627-6074 for more information.

By agreement, Aquasco is accessible to NOVAC members on the following dates: 

2008

Jan 4/5
Feb 1/2
Feb 8/9
Mar 7/8
Apr 4/5
May 2/3
May 30/31
June 6/7
July 3/4/5
Aug 1/2
Aug 29/30
Sept 1
Sept 5/6
Sept 26/27
Oct 3/4
Oct 24/25
Oct 31
Nov 1
Nov 28/29
Dec 26/27
Directions: From Route 301 in Upper Marlboro, turn onto Route 382 (Croom Road). Go 14.7 miles and turn left onto Route 381 (Aquasco Road). Go 1.1 miles and turn left onto Aquasco Farm Road. Go 1 mile to park entrance on right. Park entrance is a gravel/dirt road. Once in the park, continue to a fork and bear left.

Satellite Image

Observing site locations. After heading left, you will be driving on a slight downhill towards the river. After a sharp left (where there is a sign about the park) the Beagle Dog club house will be at the next turn. If not in use and a street light is off, the grassy area in front and in the parking area is a good observing location. Past the club house, the road continues past some barns. Depending on farming conditions, there are several possible observing locations. At the end of the road is a parking area used by bow hunters in the fall. This area has trees blocking the east. There are several side paths along the road that can be used as a location.

©  NOVAC