3 July 2026 — Friday night — This public star gaze will be held at Grassland Mountain Observatory in Madison County, with a weather backup night of Saturday, 4 July. 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 8:49 p.m.
Grassland Mtn. Observatory Star Gaze Info
Upcoming Public Star Gaze(s):
June 6, 12:20 p.m. update:
PROCEEDING TONIGHT
Weather conditions look very good for tonight’s star gaze at Grassland Mtn. Obs. Dress warmly. Sunset is 8:33 p.m. Observable planets tonight include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The temporary gate code is the following 5 characters, entered in quick succession: #8388. You may reach someone at the observatory by calling 828-231-6714.
July 3, 8:00 a.m. update:
POSTPONED
Unfortunately, a cloudy forecast has caused the postponement of tonight’s star gaze at Grassland Mtn. Obs. to the backup date of Saturday night, July 4. Please check the home page for another weather update on Saturday.
July 4, 11:45 a.m. update:
CANCELLED
Disappointingly, a continued cloudy forecast has caused the cancellation of this weekend’s star gaze at Grassland Mountain Observatory.
10 July 2026 — Friday night — This public star gaze will be held at Grassland Mountain Observatory in Madison County, with a weather backup night of Saturday, 11 July. 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 8:47 p.m.
7 August 2026 — Friday night — This public star gaze will be held at Grassland Mountain Observatory in Madison County, with a weather backup night of Saturday, 8 August. 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 8:28 p.m.
