Stargazing at the Public Observatory
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National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Free
The National Air and Space Museum’s Public Observatory will be open for nighttime stargazing the day after Thanksgiving. Bring your relatives and enjoy the sights of the Universe! Do not miss this chance to see an array of celestial objects through a powerful professional telescope as well as additional portable telescopes.
Viewings are always weather dependent. If it is cloudy, the observing will be canceled. Check @SIObservatory on Twitter for updates related to weather closures or call (202) 633-2517. Tickets are not required.
On June 11, 2015, the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory was open for evening stargazing. Many adults came to use the telescopes that night, and many young astronomy buffs came with them. For many, it was their first-ever view through a telescope at our observatory.
Under clear and beautiful summer skies, just after the Sun had set, Venus and Jupiter became clearly visible in the western sky, two bright dots hovering above the horizon's twilight glow. The young man at the telescope in this photo was looking at Jupiter, with its stripes of color and four visible moons.
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