Join us for a Community Observation Night at the SKAE Astronomy Center. These evenings invite stargazers of all ages to explore the night sky, observe planets, stars, comets, and galaxies, and enjoy engaging astronomy programming.
Events are weather permitting. If an evening must be canceled, registrants will be notified via email and information will be posted on this page.
2027 Schedule
| Date | Rain date | Start | Sunset | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, January 16 | Saturday, January 23 | 7:30 PM | 4:49 PM | |
| Tuesday, February 16 | Monday, February 22 | 8:35 PM | 5:27 PM | |
| Monday, March 1 | Tuesday, March 2 | 8:35 PM | 5:43 PM | |
| Saturday, April 10 | Saturday, April 17 | 7:30 PM | 7:26 PM | |
| Monday, May 10 | Tuesday, May 11 | 8:35 PM | 7:58 PM | |
| Saturday, June 12 | Saturday, June 19 | 8:30 PM | 8:24 PM | |
| Saturday, July 10 | Saturday, July 17 | 8:30 PM | 8:25 PM | |
| Tuesday, September 7 | Monday, September 13 | 8:35 PM | 7:15 PM | |
| Tuesday, October 12 | Monday, October 18 | 8:35 PM | 6:16 PM | |
| Monday, November 8 | Tuesday, November 9 | 8:35 PM | 4:40 PM | |
| Saturday, December 4 | Saturday, December 11 | 7:30 PM | 4:23 PM |
What You’ll See Each Month
January: Waxing gibbous Moon high overhead and Saturn; Jupiter climbs into view by about 9 PM. Rain date: Saturn early; Jupiter and the nearly full Moon rise through the evening.
February: Waxing gibbous Moon, plus Mars and Jupiter within a week of opposition, at their brightest of the year. Rain date: Mars and Jupiter high, just past opposition; nearly full Moon rising.
March: Mars and Jupiter high in the evening sky (no Moon this night). Rain date: Mars and Jupiter high (no Moon).
April: Thin crescent Moon (look for earthshine), with Mars and Jupiter high. Rain date: Waxing gibbous Moon, Mars and Jupiter.
May: Crescent Moon with Mars and Jupiter. Rain date: Crescent Moon with Mars and Jupiter.
June: Waxing gibbous Moon, Mars and Jupiter as twilight fades. Rain date: Mars and Jupiter; the full Moon rises late in the evening.
July: First-quarter Moon, the best phase for craters, with Mars and Jupiter low in the west. Rain date: Mars and Jupiter low in the west; full Moon rising.
September: First-quarter Moon, low in the south; Saturn rises later in the evening. Rain date: Nearly full Moon; Saturn rises later in the evening.
October: Gibbous Moon and Saturn, less than a week before opposition. Rain date: Saturn at opposition, its closest and brightest of the year; Moon rising.
November: Gibbous Moon and Saturn high in the southeast. Rain date: Gibbous Moon and Saturn high in the southeast.
December: Moon near first quarter and Saturn high in the south. Rain date: Nearly full Moon and Saturn.