News and Events: Open House - First Mondays >>more Cleveland County Astronomical Society Meetings are 4th Thursdays at 7:30pm.  Next Meeting:  Feb 28. Lunar Eclipse Party to be held at Williams Feb 20, 2008>>more Outer Banks Messier Marathon, Mar 7-9, 2008 >>more Shapley Public Lecture Announced - Steve  Maran, March 27th, 2008 >>more 16th Annual Regional Gathering of Amateur Astronomers >>more Current Clear Sky Clock >>more

Comet Hale-Bopp and the Williams Observatory, April 1997.  Photo by Tom English

Since its dedication in 1990, the Craven E. Williams Observatory has served as a focal point for astronomy education for the University and amateur astronomers throughout the region. The observatory is named for the ninth president of Gardner-Webb University, and was constructed largely through volunteer efforts. Funds for the facility were made possible through area donors and a matching grant from the Janirve Foundation of Asheville. The Observatory dome houses a 16" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, while a range of other instruments are also utilized. In addition to supporting astronomy classes at the University, the facility hosts school and community groups for observing and educational programs, as well as monthly public nights and special programs. The Williams Observatory also serves as the home observatory for the Cleveland County Astronomical Society (http://www.ccastro.org). For more information about the observatory or any of its programs and events, Contact Dr. Don Olive.

Light Polution Map of Region

Credit: P. Cinzano, F. Falchi (University of Padova), C. D. Elvidge (NOAA National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder). Copyright Royal Astronomical Society. Reproduced from the Monthly Notices of the RAS by permission of Blackwell Science.