What can you expect to see at the Community Observatory this weekend?


This month, the new moon occurs on Friday, April 17. 

If you’ve ever come out to the observatory on a New Moon night, you may have noticed something missing. 

The Moon!


This is why New Moon nights are some of the best times to visit the observatory!

With no bright moonlight washing out the sky, it’s the best time to see faint galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.


A New Moon occurs when the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun. During this phase, the side of the Moon that is illuminated by sunlight is facing away from us, while the side facing Earth is in darkness.

The Moon is “tidally locked” to Earth, meaning it rotates on its axis at the exact same rate that it orbits our planet. Because of this perfect synchronization, we always see the same side of the Moon.

That’s why these images of the “dark side of the moon” from the Artemis mission are especially exciting. 


If you join us on Saturday, the young moon will be one day old & only 3% illuminated. 




Please join us Friday and Saturday night from 9pm–11PM.

We are hoping the clouds cooperate for us to remain open this weekend, but please be sure to check our website (communityobservatory.com) after 3pm before heading up the hill! 

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