The Department of Astronomy operates an on-campus Teaching Observatory for educational and public programs. These events are all free to the public. The observatory is open 8:30PM — 10:00PM on Friday evenings when UF classes are in session in the fall and spring semesters (closed during the summer) and for special events.
See this calendar for details
The status of each event will be displayed in our Twitter Feed approximately 30-60 minutes before the scheduled start of observing.
What?
As our visitor, you get the chance to observe the Moon, planets, double stars, star clusters, nebulae and other astronomical objects through our 8-inch, 12-inch, and 14-inch Cassegrain telescopes, and our historic 8-inch Alvan Clark refractor telescope. Get updated with the latest astronomical news and ask your own questions!
Please note that not all objects and telescopes are available during every open house!
Where?
The Campus Teaching Observatory is located on the University of Florida campus between the physics and engineering buildings. Please see our Teaching Observatory Page for an embedded Google Map. Parking is available in garages 5 and 14 (garage 14 is labeled “Commuter Lot” on Google Maps). From the parking garages, walk across Gale Lemerand Dr. and then take the path just south of the physics building running east-west up to Sweetwater Drive. Look for red lights illuminating the path along Sweetwater Drive. The walking route from the parking garages is drawn in red in the zoomed-in map below.
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Very important: please do not try to drive any closer to the observatory or park next to it—parking here is highly restricted and you will be towed without a special permit
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Weather
Telescopes can’t see through clouds! Please check the forecast.
Public nights and events are sensitive to weather conditions. Please call (352) 392-1016 after 8:00pm for a recorded message or check our Twitter feed. For a detailed prediction of when it will be cloudy or clear for up to the next two days at the Campus Teaching Observatory, see the Campus Teaching Observatory Clear Sky Clock!
Public Night Contact Information
For more information you can contact us via email at public@astro.ufl.edu.