HAL Observing Sites
The Howard Astronomical League holds regularly scheduled public and members-only star parties at Alpha Ridge Park from March through November dusk to ~11PM.
Impromptu members-only viewing sessions are sometimes announced by HAL Keyholders and can occur at any time (usually on nights of clear weather). These impromptu events are sometimes held at Alpha Ridge Park and at other times held at Carrs Mill Park – depending on the Keyholder’s preferences. Notice of impromptu events (time, date and location) are communicated via a members-only impromptu email group. (Click here for how to join HAL’s Impromptu Mailing List).
HAL Star Party locations are smoke free by law. Help us protect our ability to use these sites by not smoking. Thanks.
Alpha Ridge Park (Map)
11685 Old Frederick Rd
Marriottsville, MD 21104
Coordinates (at gate off Old Frederick Rd [Route 99])
Lat: 39° 19′ 15″ North
Long: 76° 54′ 46″ West
Pluses & Minuses:
- Lots of Space
- Paved Parking, which also means heat rising off asphalt
- Clean, Heated, Lit Restrooms
- Electric Outlets Available
- Observatory
- Brighter skies due to closer proximity to Baltimore
This location is the home of HAL’s new “Howard Astronomical League Observatory” at Alpha Ridge Park (HALO).
Public and Member’s Only star parties, occasional special events, plus member’s-only impromptu star parties are held at Alpha Ridge Park at sundown. The date for regularly scheduled star parties changes monthly to coincide with the best lunar viewing so please check the HAL Calendar for the next date. Alpha Ridge Park has recently expanded facilities with more paved parking areas, upgraded lighting, and restroom facilities. Warning: there are steel posts in the parking area that can’t be seen unless your headlights are on.
Both public and scheduled member’s only events are posted on the public “Howardastro” Yahoogroup. Whether the event is open to the public or to member’s only is communicated on that Yahoogroup. We ask non-members to respect the member’s-only events. During public events HAL members are often busy all evening allowing guests to use their equipment. The member’s-only events allow HAL members the “quiet time” needed for private observing.
Impromptu star parties at Alpha Ridge Park are communicated via an optional member’s-only email list. The HAL observatory is NOT open during impromptu events as a rule. Also, HALO is not guaranteed to be open to members during regularly scheduled members-only star parties. The observatory is ALWAYS OPEN during public events.
NOTE: While this park is adjacent to the Alpha Ridge landfill it is not and never has been part of the landfill.
For a real-time update on Satellites & misc. astronomical objects visible from Alpha Ridge Park you can visit the Heaven’s Above website, Marriotsville location.