Tucked away behind Union College, a hidden gem awaits those who dare to look up: Cranford’s own William Miller Sperry Observatory, a welcoming gateway to the stars. Founded in 1967, the nonprofit houses two of the largest telescopes intended for amateur use on the East Coast. These telescopes, one 10-inch f/15 refractor and one 24-inch f/11 Ritchey-Chretien reflector, are set up in two separate viewing domes connected to the observatory’s classroom. The general public is welcomed to enjoy the night sky through these telescopes every Friday night and is accompanied by volunteers eager to share their deep knowledge of astronomy. Amazingly, admissions and parking are free to visitors; donations are gratefully accepted. Cranford’s observatory offers everyone the opportunity to experience the cosmos. 

Surprisingly, many Cranford citizens are unaware of the experience that the Sperry Observatory offers. With such ease of access, the observatory is a phenomenal way to spend your Friday night. Thrilled by the idea, fellow dialogue members Claire Ficarro, Lillian Kelly, and I decided to take the short trip a few weekends ago. 

Gazing at both the Moon and Jupiter that night, we were taken aback by the quality of the telescopes’ image. After exiting the domes, lit with red light to avoid unfocusing the human eye as white light does, the three of us briefly listened to an in depth presentation on the stars being conducted in the classroom. As it does every Friday night, the observatory offered us an evening of wonder and discovery. It is truly one of Cranford’s hidden gems, and we implore you to check it out for yourself next Friday night!