Astronomy header
First Friday header
Every First Friday of the Month

First Friday Stargazing gives anyone free access to the night sky using university telescopes and teaching equipment.

Weather permitting, experienced astronomers will provide a handful of telescopes of varying designs, give training on how each operates, and point to various astronomical objects that may appear in the sky for that given time of the year. If you have a telescope and do not know how to operate it, feel free to bring it and get instruction on its use.

The Curtis Vaughan Jr. Observatory is located on the 4th floor of the Flawn Science Building on the UTSA Main Campus. After exiting the elevator, look for the doors to the outside star party observation deck adjacent to the observatory. The public is encouraged to park in the nearby Ximenes Ave Garage.

Due to varying times of sunset throughout the year, event start times will vary.

observatory
Stargazing Dates
start time: sunset

Sep 2, 2022

Oct 7, 2022
cancelled (cloudy)

Nov 4, 2022

Dec 2, 2022

Jan 6, 2023

Feb 3, 2023

Mar 3, 2023

Apr 7, 2023

May 5, 2023

Friday Nights Celestial Lights header
Every Third Friday of the Month

Friday Nights Celestial Lights is a free public venue provided during the Fall and Spring school semesters.

Physics & Astronomy faculty and staff conduct a 30-40 minute presentation on recent developments in astronomy and astrophysics followed by stargazing at the school's observatory (weather permitting). Presentations are intended to be understood by middle-school-aged children and older.

Scheduled lectures begin promptly at 7:30 pm in the Flawn Science Building lecture room 2.02.02. Stargazing commences immediately after the lecture at the Curtis Vaughan Jr. Observatory.

Topic suggestions may be emailed to AstronomyEvents@utsa.edu.
We cannot guarantee that requested topics will be covered and reserve the right to make the final decision.

audience
Lecture Dates
start time: 7:30 with stargazing to follow
(weather permitting)

Sep 16, 2022

Oct 21, 2022
cancelled (BestFest)

Nov 18, 2022flyer

Jan 20, 2023flyer

Feb 17, 2023

Mar 10, 2023flyer
special date

Apr 21, 2023

Community Outreach
Star Parties and Astronomy Lectures

Community organizations are encouraged to email star party/astronomy lecture requests to AstronomyEvents@utsa.edu. Available dates are limited.

outreach event
Outreach Events
start time: sunset unless specified otherwise

August 20, 2022
Mission Marquee Plaza movie night

October 1, 2022
International Observe the Moon Night at UTSA – see flyer

October 21 & 22, 2022
Star party at Mission San Juan with Las Misiones

October 28, 2022
Haunted Observatory from 7:30-9:30 pm
see flyer

November 19, 2022
Public star party at South Llano River State Park

Sky Map

skymap

Download the monthly Sky Map.

Additional Resources

Parking

The most convenient parking location is the Ximenes Ave Garage. There is an hourly fee to park in the garage.

Note: The outlying lots are dedicated to faculty/staff and students; special permits are required and parking in these areas without a permit may result in being ticketed by patrolling Business Auxiliary Services Office personnel. For more information on parking and possible free parking areas, please call (210) 458-PARK.

Images and Photos

View images from the observatory telescope and photos from past events at the observatory.

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