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There are no club speaker presentations in December or January. The next speaker presentation will occur on February 5th.

Two Public Star Gazes in December

Image credit: club member Jerry Sherman – taken at Grassland Mtn. Observatory

Continue to check this home page as weather could change the venue or postpone and possibly cancel a star gaze. Check again after 5:00 p.m. on the afternoon of the observing session for the latest info and update.

Saturday – Dec. 13, 9:20 a.m. update: Road and weather conditions look very good for tonight’s star gaze at Grassland Mtn. Obs. Dress warmly. Sunset occurs at 5:17 p.m. The Geminid Meteor Shower peaks tonight. Observable planets tonight include Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Jupiter late. The temporary gate code is the following 5 characters, entered in quick succession: #7582. You may reach someone at the observatory by calling 828-231-6714.

12 Dec. 2025 — Friday night — This public star gaze will be held at Grassland Mountain Observatory in Madison County, with a weather backup night of Saturday, 13 December. This event is free and open to everyone — registration is not necessary to attend. A temporary gate code, required for entry, will be provided here on the day of the star gaze by 4:00 p.m. Directions to Grassland Mountain Observatory can be found here. These star gazes normally conclude about 3 to 4 hours after sunset, and visitors are not permitted to stay past the conclusion time. Sunset occurs at 5:17 p.m.

19 Dec. 2025 — Friday night — This public star gaze will be held at Grassland Mountain Observatory in Madison County, with a weather backup night of Saturday, 20 December. This event is free and open to everyone — registration is not necessary to attend. A temporary gate code, required for entry, will be provided here on the day of the star gaze by 4:00 p.m. Directions to Grassland Mountain Observatory can be found here. These star gazes normally conclude about 3 to 4 hours after sunset, and visitors are not permitted to stay past the conclusion time. Sunset occurs at 5:20 p.m.