General Location of the Main UMBC Campus

The main campus of UMBC is located ~7 miles (11 km) to the south-west of downtown Baltimore Maryland, and ~35 miles (56 km) to the north-east of Washington D.C. The street address of the department is
Physics Department, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250, U.S.A.
[eg see Google Map , or MapQuest.com etc]

The campus is fairly close to the intersection of interstate highways I-695 (the Baltimore Beltway) and I-95. It is also just beyond the western end of the Interstate I-195 spur to the Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and its associated MTA Light Rail station. I-195also intersects MD-295 (the Washington - Baltimore Parkway), and passes close to the BWI AMTRACK/Marc railway station Unfortunately there is no public transport between UMBC and any of these locations (although taxis are available).

Vistors arriving by car via I-695 should use exit-12 (Md-372 West, Wilkens Ave). Those ariving via I-95 should use exit-47 (I-195/Md-166 towards Catonsville).

Detailed Directions to the Physics Department

The UMBC Astrophysics Group is located in the Physics Department on the main campus. The UMBC Observatory is located on the roof, and Observatory "Open Houses" are held on the top floor of this same building.

Take Commons Drive off Hilltop Circle. During the day (when the university is in session), visitor parking is avaliable in the Commons Drive Parking Garage, lower level in the metered spots. Out of hours, you park free at any non-marked curb-side spot. Temporary parking passes are also available from Parking Services in the Physical Plant Shops Building (410-455-2551). Please see the UMBC Visitor's Guide for more information.

Directions to the Telescope Open House

• Enter the Main Entrance to the Physics Building, which is located in the corner of the building closest to the Library (furthest from Commons Drive)
• Take either of the elevators up to the 4^th floor.
• Turn right & right again as you exit the elevator, and enter Room 401
• Assuming a presentation is not underway, and you are not otherwise instructed, proceed through the door to the right of the whiteboards in Room 401.
• Assuming you hear people above you, and you are not otherwise instructed, proceed up the pair of steep metal ladders into the telescope dome.
  Unfortunately there is no other access route available. Small children, people with mobility problems, and people afraid of heights may not wish to visit the dome.