A stellar opportunity awaits the Montclair State University community.
The North Jersey Astronomical Group (NJAG) is seeking local stargazing buffs to join its ranks.
The 95-member NJAG, founded in 1981, offers a space to stargaze and take place in other activities with other passionate members. The group meets nearly every second Tuesday of the month in Room 110 of the Center For Environmental Life Sciences (CELS) building.
Students and staff at the Public Telescope Night in front of the CELS building on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
Ava Firmani | The Montclarion
The NJAG is comprised chiefly of North Jersey-based astronomy enthusiasts. The organization has no affiliation with the Student Government Association or Montclair State University.
One of the group’s popular activities is the periodic public telescope nights outside the CELS building entrance. There are also dark sky-viewing retreats and expert lecturers on astronomical subjects. In addition, the group conducts astronomy education seminars at off-campus locations. In addition, NJAG novices can learn telescope skills and electronically-assisted astronomy techniques from skywatching veterans.
Memberships to the NJAG cost $15 for students, $25 for individuals, and $30 for families.
Kevin Conod of Denville, the departing NJAG president, is a 30-year member of the club. Conod said the group is trying to change the fact it has few Montclair State students.
Kevin Conod of Denville, is seen aligning a Celestron 14-inch telescope at the NJAG's dark sky observatory at Jenny Jump State Park in Hope, NJ. Thomas Boud | The Montclarion
One issue, he added, is a lack of awareness about the organization. “People don’t know we’re here,” Conod explained.
Conod said the NJAG has had undergraduates as members. In many cases, Montclair State students leave the group upon graduating. Conod explained that college members have been a positive presence in the group in the past.
“We’ve had some really interesting [Montclair State] students in the club,” Conod said.
Mark Zdziarski of Hopatcong, New Jersey is the NJAG’s newly elected vice president and 14-year member. Zdziarski said the NJAG welcomes more people to explore astronomy and assist with astronomy outreach events at Montclair State and in North Jersey.
“We are in desperate need of members for public telescope nights,” Zdziarski explained.
Conod echoed that thought, elaborating that the telescope nights pack plenty of appeal for spectators.
“People do get very excited when we have the telescope out,” Conod said. “We really catch their eyes.”
Zdziarski said the group will offer novel members skywatching training in January.
“Most folks wind up getting a telescope around the holidays,” Zdziarski explained. “They can learn how to navigate the night sky, when to expect certain constellations and deep sky objects. They can also learn how to better use their telescope and become more experienced observers [from our group].”
After gaining experience, Zdziarski added, NJAG members can qualify to become certified observers at the group’s Jenny Jump dark sky observatory.
Jeff Carlisle of West Milford is the club’s incoming corresponding secretary. Carlisle has been a member of the group for over five years. Carlisle believes that the NJAG is a valuable resource for budding astronomers.
“You have people to talk to,” Carlisle added. “You have people to bounce questions off of.”
Students and staff at the Public Telescope Night in front of the CELS building on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
Ava Firmani | The Montclarion
According to Carlisle, NJAG attendees can learn more details about many astronomical objects through telescope viewings. One fascinating facet of stargazing, Carlisle says, is watching the life of a star, its inner functions, and evolutionary changes.
The North Jersey Astronomical Group is always accepting new members and hosts public telescope viewings on campus every month, accepting astronomy buffs of any range of experience or age.
