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
- September 1, 2023
- October 6, 2023
- November 3, 2023
- December 1, 2023
- January 5, 2024 (cancelled due to weather)
- February 2, 2024 (cancelled due to weather)
- March 1, 2024
- April 5, 2024
- May 3, 2024
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 two talks in the Flawn Science Building lecture room 2.02.02.
- 6:15 pm: A "talk before the talk"
- 7:30 pm: 30-40 minute presentation on recent developments in astronomy and astrophysics followed by stargazing at the school's observatory (weather permitting).
Presentations are intended to be understood by middle-school-aged children and older. Stargazing commences immediately after the 7:30 lecture at the Curtis Vaughan Jr. Observatory.
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
Talk-before-the-talk start time: 6:15 pm
Lecture start time: 7:30 with stargazing to follow (weather permitting)
- September 8, 2023
- 6:15: Getting Started in Amateur Astronomy
- 7:30: TBA
- October 13, 2023
- November 10, 2023
- 6:15: What You Can Do With Your Telescope
- 7:30: Citizen Science: How You Can Contribute to Science
- December 8, 2024
- January 12, 2024
- February 9, 2024
How We Measure the Universe: Part 1 - March 8, 2024
How We Measure the Universe: Part 2 - April 12, 2024
- May 10, 2024
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 21, 2022
International Observe the Moon Night and the Haunted Observatory from 7-9 pm at the Curtis Vaughan Jr. Observatory
cancelled due to cloudy weather
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.
Images 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.
