Every First Friday of the Month
First Friday Stargazing gives anyone free access to the night sky using university telescopes and teaching equipment.
Weather permitting, experienced astronomers will provide a handful of telescopes of varying designs, give training on how each operates, and point to various astronomical objects that may appear in the sky for that given time of the year. If you have a telescope and do not know how to operate it, feel free to bring it and get instructions on its use.
The Curtis Vaughan Jr. Observatory is located on the 4th floor of the Flawn Science Building on the UTSA Main Campus. After exiting the elevator, look for the doors to the outside star party observation deck adjacent to the observatory. The public is encouraged to park in the nearby Ximenes Ave Garage.
Due to varying times of sunset throughout the year, event start times will vary.
Stargazing Dates
start time: sunset
weather cancellations will be posted via Facebook
- September 6, 2024
- October 4, 2024
- November 1, 2024
- December 6, 2024
- February 2, 2025
- March 7, 2025
- April 4, 2025
- May 2, 2025
Every Second Friday of the Month
Friday Nights Celestial Lights is a free public venue provided during the Fall and Spring school semesters.
Physics and Astronomy faculty and staff conduct a 30-40 minute presentation on recent developments in astronomy and astrophysics in the Flawn Science Building lecture room 2.02.02. Stargazing commences immediately after the lecture at the Curtis Vaughan Jr. Observatory (weather permitting).
Presentations are intended to be understood by middle-school-aged children and older.
Topic suggestions may be emailed to AstronomyEvents@utsa.edu.
We cannot guarantee that requested topics will be covered and reserve the right to make the final decision.
Lecture Dates
Lecture start time: 7:30 with stargazing to follow (weather permitting)
- September 13, 2024
Instruments Better than the James Webb Space Telescope (An Update) - October 11, 2024
The Earth Has Two Moons - November 8, 2024
(no lecture; stargazing only) - December 13, 2024
(no lecture; stargazing only)
- February 14, 2025
- March 14, 2025
- April 11, 2025
- May 9, 2025
Star Parties and Astronomy Lectures
Community organizations are encouraged to email star party/astronomy lecture requests to AstronomyEvents@utsa.edu.
Available dates are limited.
Outreach Events
start time: sunset unless specified otherwise
October 16, 2024
Comet Viewing Party (weather permitting)
7:30 pm | McAllister Park, Salado Creek Trail near the dog park
Parking
The most convenient parking location is the Ximenes Ave Garage. There is an hourly fee to park in the garage.
Note: The outlying lots are dedicated to faculty/staff and students; special permits are required and parking in these areas without a permit may result in being ticketed by patrolling Business Auxiliary Services Office personnel.
For more information on parking and possible free parking areas, please call 210-458-PARK.
More Info on Ximenes Garage View Ximenes Garage on MapImages and Photos
View images from the observatory telescope and photos from past events at the observatory.
Contact Us
Email us if you need additional information or have a comment.
