Connect to the Universe

We invite you to become a part of our local astronomy community!

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

Fri, Jul 24
Friday Night Observing at John Clyde Preserve
1091 Canal Road Princeton (Griggstown), NJ 08540, USA
Details
Jul 24, 2026, 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM
1091 Canal Road Princeton (Griggstown), NJ 08540, USA
Club members have access to one of the darkest sites in Franklin Township every Friday night, when conditions are favorable. Members are invited to bring their cameras, binoculars, telescopes. If you don't have anything to observe with, come learn from others!
Sat, Jul 25
Saturday Night Observing at John Clyde
John Clyde Native Grassland Preserve
RSVP
Jul 25, 2026, 8:00 PM – Jul 26, 2026, 12:00 AM
John Clyde Native Grassland Preserve, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
Franklin Township Astronomy now has access to John Clyde on Saturday nights as well as Friday!
Wed, Aug 05
Monthly Club Meeting
Franklin Township Community/Senior Cente
Details
Aug 05, 2026, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Franklin Township Community/Senior Cente, 508 Demott Ln, Somerset, NJ 08873, USA
Join us on the 1st Wednesday of every month in the Franklin Township Community/Senior Center at 7:30 pm
Wed, Aug 12
Perseids Meteor Shower Watch Event at John Clyde Preserve
1091 Canal Rd
RSVP
Aug 12, 2026, 8:00 PM
1091 Canal Rd, 1091 Canal Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
Come watch one of the best meteor showers of the year!

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)

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

August is almost here -- and with it comes one of THE BEST meteor showers of the year: THE PERSEIDS!

This year's peak occurs on the same day as another notable celestial event - the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse. Although the eclipse will only be visible in parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain, closer to home we will benefit from a new moon and dark skies.

Join us at John Clyde Preserve as we gather to observe the cosmic fireworks on the night of August 12.

RSVP here on our website in the "Next Events" section above!

John Clyde Preserve
Current Observation Conditions

John Clyde Memorial Grasslands Preserve is our Club's official dark sky observing site. Open by permission from Franklin Township for Club Members, the preserve is an important resource for observing and photographing the night sky. The tables below provide real-time summaries of sky and weather conditions at the Preserve. To learn more about John Clyde Preserve, click here