Family Stargazing

These special programs are family-friendly, a bit shorter, and wrap up well before bedtime! All are welcome.

Each program is slightly different depending on what opportunities present themselves in the night sky, but generally, the program consists of an introduction to the Observatory and its capabilities, a “tour of the night’s sky” on the Observatory deck with City Astronomer Eric McLaughlin, Observatory Coordinator Lauren Zuckerberg, or a trained docent, the opportunity to look at several objects in space through telescopes on the deck, and the opportunity to view one or more objects through the large telescope in the Observatory dome. Guests are provided information throughout the experience, and also have a chance to ask questions. In favorable viewing conditions, this event is entirely outdoors.

Stargazing Bad Weather Policy: In the event of unsuitable weather conditions that prohibit the use of telescopes for this event, we will tour the Universe with the Observatory’s Integrated Space Theater under a closed dome. Unsuitable weather conditions include but are not limited to: cloud cover, precipitation, high winds, ash, and force majeure. The Integrated Space Theater tour entails a simulated journey to the astronomical objects originally planned to be viewed with telescopes, a constellation tour, and other fascinating corners of the Universe, as viewed from inside the Observatory, projected onto the inside of the dome.