Winter Solstice Stargazing Night
Date
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Location
Observatory Hill, University Campus
Capacity
Max 50 attendees
What to Bring
- Warm clothing (temperatures expected around 30°F)
- Red flashlight (we have extras)
- Blanket or camping chair
- Hot drinks welcome!
Winter Solstice Stargazing Night
The winter solstice brings us the longest night of the year—and what better way to celebrate than by gazing at the stars?
What to Expect
Join fellow astronomy enthusiasts for an unforgettable evening of celestial observation. Our experienced members will guide you through the winter constellations and help you spot some incredible deep-sky objects.
Highlights of the Night
- Orion Nebula (M42) - One of the brightest nebulae, visible to the naked eye
- The Pleiades (M45) - The stunning “Seven Sisters” star cluster
- Jupiter and its moons - Weather permitting, we’ll get great views
- Winter Milky Way - Fainter than summer, but still beautiful
Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00 PM | Arrival & Setup |
| 6:30 PM | Introduction to Winter Sky |
| 7:00 PM | Guided Observation Begins |
| 8:30 PM | Hot Cocoa Break |
| 9:00 PM | Deep Sky Objects |
| 10:30 PM | Wrap Up |
What to Bring
The most important thing is to dress warmly! Stargazing involves a lot of standing still, so you’ll get cold faster than you think.
- Multiple layers
- Hat and gloves
- Hand warmers
- Thermos with hot drink
- Snacks to share (optional but appreciated!)
Telescopes Available
Don’t have your own equipment? No problem! We’ll have several club telescopes set up:
- 8” Dobsonian reflector
- 6” Schmidt-Cassegrain
- Multiple binoculars for scanning
RSVP Required
Space is limited to 50 attendees to ensure everyone gets quality telescope time. Sign up through our contact page!
See you under the stars! ⭐