All Astronomy Nights start with an informative, multimedia astronomy presentation by a DAS lecturer. Astronomy presentations are designed for visitors of all ages and may be illustrated with colorful computer graphics, videos, and/or other audio-visual methods as appropriate.
After the presentation, visitors may be treated to telescopic views of the moon, stars, star clusters, planets, galaxies, and nebulae, all through Chamberlin’s historic, 28-foot-long, 20-inch-aperture Alvan Clark-Saegmuller refracting telescope (weather permitting). On cloudy nights, visitors can view and learn about the telescope and receive a tour of the observatory, which includes its various clocks, the meridian telescope, the library, wall displays, and an animated video display of the night sky for that month. DAS volunteers will be happy to answer questions about astronomy, astronomical observing, and the observatory.
All Astronomy Night events between April and August begin at 8:30 pm. September through March events will begin at 7:30 pm.
Astronomy Night tickets are released in stages to give everyone a chance to join us:
• Most tickets unlock automatically 60 days before each event (to the exact time – tix for a 730 pm event will unlock at 730 pm 60 days earlier). Check this page daily in the evenings for any new releases.
• We hold back a small number of tickets every month, which are then released on the 1st of the event month, usually between 6 am and 7 am.
Keep an eye out for Saturdays!
Saturdays are typically reserved for private group events, but if a date is still open by the 1st of the month (which is less common in spring and summer), we’ll add it as an extra Astronomy Night and release those tickets on the 1st.
A quick heads up:
Occasionally, an event may sell out early due to special bookings, so first- or second-release tickets could be limited or unavailable on that date. While rare, this can happen.
⚠️ Be Aware of Online Scammers
Tickets are non-transferable except through our reservations team. You will not be admitted to an Astronomy Night event unless at least one attendee’s name is on the official guest list. The only way to secure your spot is to purchase tickets through this reservations page or coordinate a transfer directly with our reservations team.