**Open for Riparian After Dark each evening December 13-22, 5:30-9pm
Purchase admission tickets to the park from the Town of Gilbert website**
public star party
**Canceled in December - Resumes in January**
Every 2nd Friday: Sunset - 9:30 PM
Additional telescopes supplied by members of the East Valley Astronomy Club are available for free public viewing, plus an astronomy related talk in the adjoining public library at 7:30 PM.
Observatory Etiquitte
We ask that viewers do not physically touch the telescope or eyepiece (it is tempting for viewers of all ages) because the telescope is always moving by computer control, and touching will cause the image to shake.
Please refrain from using flashlights or looking at your cellphones during your visit to the observatory. The best viewing is obtained when your eyes are “dark adapted”. We use red lights to assist your night vision, and looking at bright lights will instantly cause your eyes to react and lose the ability to more easily see fainter objects.
Flash photography is not allowed.
The observatory staff will choose objects that are available for viewing that evening. We will try to see several objects during an evening, but that is dependent on the number of people waiting in line.
Please feel free to stay and watch our educational videos on the patio as you wait.
Ask our volunteers any astronomy related question that is on your mind, but please be respectful of other guests who are waiting to view.
Clear Sky Chart
Evening Planets
(after sunset)
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Mercury
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Venus
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Saturn
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Neptune
Morning Planets
(before sunrise)
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Mars
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Jupiter
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Uranus
Comets
Meteors
Geminids
Phases of the Moon
New
Moon
December 30
3:26 PM
First Quarter Moon
December 8
8:26 AM
Full
Moon
December 15
2:01 AM
Last Quarter Moon
December 22
3:18 PM