Observatory closed until further notice!
In an abundance of caution for our visitors and volunteers, the observatory is temporarily closed for public viewing. Any further updates will be made via this site and our Facebook page.
Keep looking up at the stars!
Location
Located at 2757 E Guadalupe Road in the Gilbert Riparian Preserve next to the Gilbert Library at Greenfield and Guadalupe.
Cost: Free
Donations welcome. Suggested donation $5/family or $3/adult.
Public Hours
*weather permitting
Friday Evening: Sunset - 9:30 PM
Saturday Evening: Sunset - 9:30 PM
public star party
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.
private viewing
Available by reservation Sunday - Thursday, maximum 20 people.
Cost of $5/person, minimum of $45. Organized youth groups working on astronomy awards may be eligible for fee waiver.
Special events
From time to time the observatory is open for special events and solar viewing.
Find out more about special events on the calendar.
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.
The Moon & Planets
Evening Planets
(after sunset)
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none currently
Morning Planets
(before sunrise)
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Mercury
-
Venus
-
Mars
-
Jupiter
-
Saturn
-
Neptune
-
Uranus
Comets
(before sunrise)
C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE)
about 4am - low in the east
Meteors
Delta Aquarid - July 30 (south)