2026 Season Viewing Nights
On select Saturdays from April – September, the observatory will be open for free public viewing. Dates are labeled as Moon viewing or deep space viewing. Deep space viewing nights have no moon, giving us darker skies to look at more galaxies, nebulae, and dimmer deep space objects. Moon viewing nights will have us pointed towards the moon and exploring things in the sky like planets, star clusters, and other bright objects.
*This event is weather dependent. If it is raining or cloudy it will be cancelled.
APRIL
25th – 9-11pm: Moon Viewing
MAY
16th – 9-11pm: Deep Space Viewing
23rd – 9-11pm: Moon Viewing
JUNE
6th – 9:30-11pm: Deep Space Viewing
20th – 9:30-11pm: Moon Viewing
JULY
11th – 9:30-11pm: Deep Space Viewing
25th – 9:30-11pm: Moon Viewing
AUGUST
15th – 9-11pm: Deep Space Viewing
22nd – 9-11pm: Moon Viewing
SEPTEMBER
5th – 9-11pm: Deep Space Viewing
19th – 9-11pm: Moon Viewing
Location
Address: 53670 180 St, Austin, MN 55912
Directions: From I-90, take Highway 218 south for 2.5 miles. Turn right (west) onto County Road 28 and drive 1 mile until you reach a stop sign. Turn left (south) onto County Road 29 and drive 1.5 miles. Turn right (west) onto 180th Street and drive 1/4 mile. The Observatory driveway will be on your right.
Resources
Cedar River Astronomy Club
Click to learn more about this free club!
