MSU Observatory

Our 2026 Public Outreach schedule! Please join us on April 18th for our first Public Night of the season.

Hope you all can make it!

Today is Give Green Day! Please consider donating to support the Observatory.💚🌃 givingto.msu.edu/causes-to-supp…

A rare clear December night, but one of the brightest under tonight's super moon! Swipe to see the Ring Nebula and Moon captured by student observer Fatih.

Your Support Will Make a Big Difference! MSU Observatory’s public programs are led by volunteers and supported by donations, and currently reach about 2000 people each year. givingto.msu.edu/causes-to-supp…

Globular cluster M71 (the Angelfish cluster) and Andromeda Galaxy observed by MORP student observers!

Happy Friday! We're still not over Wednesday night's spectacular view of the Northern Lights!

We had such a fun time at the Halloween public night last Friday! Thanks to everyone who stopped by, we'll be open again for public nights in the spring.

Join us from 7-10pm rain or shine on Friday, October 24th for a night of fun Halloween activities, a costume contest, candy, and stargazing. Costume Contest: Kid Costume Vote: 8-8:30pm Adult Costume Vote: 8:30-9pm Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910

Join us tomorrow (Saturday) from 7:00-10:00pm for public night at the MSU Observatory! We have lots of fun moon and astronomy activities planned! Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ/v… Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910

Join us for these free astronomy events tomorrow, September 27th! 🌌 🌙 Night hike and night sky observing with Abrams Planetarium at Burchfield Park: lansing.org/event/burchfie… 🌙 Public Observing at the MSU Observatory: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ/v…

The only thing brighter than the stars tonight? Our gratitude to @redbull for keeping us energized!

Join us on tonight from 8:30-10:30pm for public night at the MSU Observatory! Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ/v… Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910

Billions of years in the making, just in time for Friday night viewing. Swan Nebula (M17), Pinwheel Galaxy (M101), and Whirlpool Galaxy (M51a) captured with our 24-inch telescope.

Join us on Saturday from 8:30-10:30pm for public night at the MSU Observatory! Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ/v… Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910

Join us on Saturday from 9:00-11:00pm for public night at the MSU Observatory! Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ/v… Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910

Unfortunately, we are cancelling our public night that was scheduled for August 2nd due to an upcoming upgrade. Instead, visit Fox Park Observatory! (eatoncounty.org/651/Public-Vie…) They will be having public nights on Friday August 1st, and Saturday August 2nd from 9:00pm-12:00am.

One of our student observers colored this image of the Andromeda galaxy (M31) through applying separate layers of RGB filters and adjusting the opacity via Clip Studio Paint!

"Maybe Mondays aren't so bad..." -Nayda, MSU Student Observer Pictured is the Eagle Nebula (M16) and the moon taken on our 24-inch telescope this summer!

Huge thanks to @redbull for fueling our all-nighters at the MSU Observatory! Staying up all night to study the stars just got a whole lot easier with a few cases of wings.