Our Mission
The Franklin Township Astronomy Club is your gateway to amateur astronomical exploration. Based in Franklin Township, NJ, we work to bring together a community of people who share a common interest in learning about the universe
Next Events
Celestial Events Calendar
Latest News
Summertime!
With the official start of summer marked by the Summer Solstice on June 21 at 4:24 am (EDT), we're looking forward to some great public activities in the months ahead:
Summer Solstice Solar Observing Event: Saturday, June 20 from noon-2pm at the Franklin Township Gazebo (475 DeMott Lane, Somerset NJ)
Firefly Hike and Astronomy Night: Saturday, July 11 from 8pm - 11pm at John Clyde Memorial Grasslands Preserve (1091 Canal Road, Griggstown, NJ)
Perseid Meteor Watch: Wednesday, August 12 from 8pm-11pm at John Clyde Memorial Grasslands Preserve (1091 Canal Road, Griggstown, NJ)
International Observe the Moon Night: Saturday, September 19 from 8pm-11pm at John Clyde Memorial Grasslands Preserve (1091 Canal Road, Griggstown, NJ)
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Monthly Meeting
Don't forget our meetings are set for a new day, time and location for 2026!
Beginning in January, we are moving our monthly meetings to occur on the first Wednesday of each month, at 7:30 pm in the Franklin Township Community/Senior Center (505 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ)
Our July agenda is set, with Club News, "What's Up in the July Sky?" and a special 250th Independence Day presentation on "Astronomy and the Birth of Our Nation"
Join us on Wednesday, July 1 at 7:30 pm in the Franklin Township Community/Senior Center -- all are welcome!
Meteor Shower Watch
June likely won't be a notable month for meteor showers, although there is a small chance for the Bootid meteor shower in late June to exceed expectations. Here are some details:
The June Bootid meteor shower will be active from June 22 to July 2, 2026, with its peak occurring on the night of June 27. While it typically produces only a few slow, bright meteors per hour, this unpredictable shower has occasional outbursts that can yield over 100 meteors per hour.
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Peak Activity: June 27
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Radiant: The constellation Boötes (visible in the northern sky)
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Best Viewing Time: Soon after dusk and into the early night, before the radiant sets
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Speed: Slow-moving and often long-lasting
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Moonlight Interference: Favorable; the Moon is in its First Quarter phase, meaning it will not heavily overpower the sky with bright light during prime viewing hours.
Good luck!