NJAA 26 inch telescope, the largest in NJ regularly open to the public seven men with varied talents and unyielding resolve formed the New Jersey Astronomical Association - a not for profit corporation dedicated to bringing astronomy to the general public. They devised and executed a plan to build an observatory, bringing the wonders of space to the people.
    Today The Paul H. Robinson Observatory - which houses the largest telescope in New Jersey open to the public - is located in Voorhees State Park - stands as a monument to this effort. Our membership consists of people from all walks of life who share a love of astronomy.

Does astronomy in New Jersey interest you or your family?

Stop by the Paul Robinson Observatory on any public evening and see what one of our qualified observers can show you. Click here for hours of operation.


How does an idea to make 10" telescopes result in a domed observatory on a mountain housing a telescope assembly over 4 tons and 15 feet high? Who were the people that imagined this was possible? Where did the mount - several tons in weight - comes from? A high-precision 26" mirror? A 19 foot dome? Find out how this enourmous vision came to be the Paul Robinson Observatory and Edwin E. Aldrin Astronomical Center.

See a pictorial history of the making of an observatory!


On June 15, 2002, we dedicated our carefully constructed Solar System model. This gift from 3M, in cooperation with Project ASTRO NOVA and Voorhees High School is designed to educate those who take the 1/4 mile stroll. There are a handful of scale models available for perusal in the U.S., but this new addition to Voorhees State Park is a real standout. Here is its story and a point and click model

We invite you to point and click your way through the solar system!

3/11 - Galaxy Study Validates General Relativity on Cosmic Scale, Existence of Dark Matter
An analysis of more than 70,000 galaxies by University of California, Berkeley, University of Zurich and Princeton University physicists demonstrates that the universe -- at least up to a distance of 3.5 billion light years from Earth -- plays by the rules set out 95 years ago by Albert Einstein in his General Theory of Relativity. full story
3/3 - Buzz Aldrin Says We Can Get to Mars by 2019
Buzz Aldrin is one of the few former astronauts who have spoken out in support of the new proposed budget/direction for NASA. But, now, Buzz wants to add a little "oomph" to the underlying goal of getting to Mars by providing one thing that many think is missing from President Obama's proposed budget: heavy lift capability. full story
3/2 - Chilean Quake Likely Shifted Earth’s Axis, NASA Scientist Says
The earthquake that killed more than 700 people in Chile on Feb. 27 probably shifted the Earth’s axis and shortened the day, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientist said. full story
3/1 - Halfway to Pluto
Those of you with a soft spot for Pluto probably know that February was a big month for this far-flung world. full story
2/28 - New 'alien' invaders found in the Milky Way: Queen's University astronomer
KINGSTON, ON – As many as one quarter of the star clusters in our Milky Way – many more than previously thought – are invaders from other galaxies, according to a new study. full story
2/27 - Piecing Together the Tiniest Galaxies
After 17 years of collecting extensive data on a large sample of dwarf galaxies, Deidre Hunter and her LITTLE THINGS team are adding the last piece of the puzzle that will reveal how the tiniest galaxies in the universe form stars. full story
2/26 - No Signal Heard During First Day of Resumed Listening for Phoenix
NASA's Mars Odyssey began a second campaign Monday to check on whether the Phoenix Mars Lander has revived itself after the northern Martian winter. full story

The NJAA operates on leased premises administered by The State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry