Star Party Events
The Observatory is located on the south end of the FMU main campus. Parking for the Observatory is in Lot D or the Center for the Child parking lot. Parking next to the Observatory during public events is not allowed due to safety concerns. If you drive past barriers, you will be asked to leave and park in the designated areas.
Observatory viewing events are subject to good weather conditions. We will not be able to hold events if it is completely cloudy or raining. Please check our Facebook page for updates on the weather conditions. We cannot update our website from the Observatory.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a flashlight to assist in walking to the Observatory. Temperatures can change quickly as the sun sets and visitors should plan accordingly. Children are welcome to attend events at the observatory.
| Date | Start | End | Program | Location | Objects/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Aug 2024 | 8:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Viewing party for Saturn and Deep Sky Objects | FMU Observatory Grounds | Saturn and Deep Sky |
(Too Cloudy) | 8:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Saturn Opposition Viewing | FMU Observatory Grounds | Venus, Crescent Moon, and Deep Sky |
| 9 Sep 2024 | 8:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Saturn Opposition Viewing | FMU Observatory Grounds | Venus, Crescent Moon, and Deep Sky |
| 17 Sep 2024 | 8:30 PM | 1:00 AM | Partial Lunar Eclipse Viewing | FMU Observatory Grounds | Maximum occurs at 10:44 PM |
Cancelled due to approaching tropical storm | |||||
| 30 Oct 2024 | 7:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Trick-or-Treat with Telescopes | FMU Observatory Grounds near the Track | Feel free to dress in costume! |
| 2 Nov 2024 | 10:00 AM | 5:00 PM | Solar Observing at the Pecan Festival | Downtown Florence in front of the PAC | STEM Zone |
| 7 Dec 2024 | 6:00 PM | 8:00 PM | Jupiter Opposition Viewing | FMU Observatory Grounds near the Track | Saturn, Crescent Moon, Venus, and Deep Sky |
| 14 Oct 2023 | 11:30 AM | 3:00 PM | Partial Solar Eclipse Viewing Party | FMU Observatory Grounds | Event was clouded out |
| 27 Oct 2023 | 7:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Trick-or-Treat with Telescopes | FMU Observatory Grounds near the Track | Feel free to dress in costume! |
| 15 May 2022 | 10:00 PM | 1:00 AM | Lunar Eclipse Viewing Party | FMU Observatory Grounds near the Track | People who wish to bring out their telescopes should contact Dr. Myers (jmyers@fmarion.edu) to discuss set up time and gate access. |
| 21 Feb 2020 | 7:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Venus, Orion Nebula, various Deep Sky Objects | FMU Observatory |