The GRAAA opens the James C. Veen Observatory to the public on the second and last Saturdays of the month (April through October), if the skies are clear. Please call the Starwatch number - 897-7065 - for updates and the status of a particular night if the weather conditions are questionable.
Along with the observatory telescopes, association members set up their own telescopes so that visitors can view the splendors of the night sky. Visitors can tour the facility and enjoy an audio-visual presentation about the GRAAA and the James C. Veen Observatory.
Admission for public nights are $3 for Adults, $2 for 17 years and younger, and free for children under 5 years of age.
A map is located at the bottom of the page for directions to the Observatory.
A printable version of the schedule (along with the map) is available here (40k PDF).
Public Night Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
DATE |
TIME |
MOON PHASE |
FEATURED OBJECTS |
May 10 |
9:00pm - 12:00am |
Waxing Crescent (37%) |
Moon, Saturn, Deep Sky Objects |
May 31 |
9:00pm - 12:00am |
Waning Crescent (12%) |
Saturn, Deep Sky Objects |
June 14 |
9:30pm - 12:00am |
Waxing Gibbous (88%) |
Moon, Saturn |
June 28 |
9:30pm - 12:00am |
Waning Crescent (24%) |
Saturn, Deep Sky Objects |
July 12 |
9:30pm - 12:00am |
Waxing Gibbous (76%) |
Moon, Jupiter |
July 26 |
9:30pm - 12:00am |
Waning Crescent (38%) |
Jupiter, Deep Sky Objects |
August 9 |
9:00pm - 12:00am |
Waxing Gibbous (61%) |
Moon, Jupiter, Deep Sky Objects |
August 30 |
9:00pm - 12:00am |
New |
Jupiter, Neptune, Deep Sky Objects |
September 13 |
8:00pm - 11:00pm |
Full |
Moon, Jupiter, Neptune |
September 27 |
8:00pm - 11:00pm |
Waning Crescent (2%) |
Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Deep Sky Objects |
October 11 |
7:30pm - 10:30pm |
Waxing Gibbous (90%) |
Moon, Uranus, Neptune |
October 25 |
7:30pm - 10:30pm |
Waning Crescent (10%) |
Uranus, Neptune, Deep Sky Objects |
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