Events and Happenings
at the
Lake Afton Public Observatory
For more information about the Lake Afton Public Observatory, follow this link , call Observatory office at (316) 978-3191, or e-mail us at observatory@wichita.edu Our (316) WSU-STAR [978-7827] line contains information on public programs and what's visible in the night sky.


Public Programs at the Observatory: The Observatory is open to the public on Friday and Saturday evenings.  The schedule of programs is below or click here to view our current brochure (Adobe Acrobat format). Programs for School Groups can be reserved for Tuesday and Thursday evenings and selected Wednesdays during the day.  Call (316) 978-3191 during normal business hours for reservations or more information.

Admission:
  • $4.00 for adults
  • $3.00 for ages 6 - 12
  • Under six admitted free
  • Family Rate: 2 adults & immediate children or grandchildren $12.00

    August, 2008
    Public Programs: Special Events: Photography Program:
    400th Anniversary of the Telescope
    - August 1-2, 22-23, 29-30 (9:00 to 11:00 p.m.)
    Peculiar Planets and Lunar Lunacy
    - August 8-9, 15-16 (9:00 to 11:00 p.m.)
    Perseid Meteor Shower
    - Tuesday, August 12 at 2:30-5:30 a.m.
    Bring Your Own Telescope
    - Friday, August 15 at 9:00 p.m.
    Fall Welcomefest
    - August 22-23 at 9:00-11:00 p.m.
    Jupiter
    - Saturday, Aug. 16 at 11:00 p.m.


    September, 2008
    Public Programs: Special Events: Photography Program:
    400th Anniversary of the Telescope
    - September 19-20, 26-27 (8:00 to 10:00 p.m.)
    Peculiar Planets and Lunar Lunacy
    - September 5-6, 12-13 (8:00 to 10:00 p.m.)
    Grandparents Day Weekend
    - Fri & Sat September 5-6 (8:00 to 10:00 p.m.)
    Bring Your Own Telescope
    - Friday, September 19 at 8:00 p.m.
    Smithsonian Museum Day
    - Saturday, September 27 at 8:00 p.m.
    Jupiter
    - September 6 at 10:00 p.m.

    October, 2008
    Public Programs: Special Events: Photography Program:
    Messier Album
    - Oct. 3-4, 17-18, 24-25, 31 (7:30 to 10:00 p.m.)
    From the Moon to the Stars
    - Oct. 19-20 (7:30 to 10:00 p.m.)
      Andromeda (M31)
    - October 25 at 10:00 p.m.

    November, 2008
    Public Programs: Special Events: Photography Program:
    Messier Album
    - November 1, 21-22, 28-29 (7:30 to 10:00 p.m.)
    From the Moon to the Stars
    - November 7-8, 14-15 (7:30 to 10:00 p.m.)
    Telescope Fair
    - Sat November 22 (7:30 to 10:00 p.m.)
    Moon
    - November 8 at 10:00 p.m.

    December, 2008
    Public Programs: Special Events: Photography Program:
    Messier Album
    - Dec 19-20 (7:30 to 10:00 p.m.)
    From the Moon to the Stars
    - Dec 5-6, 12-13 (7:30-10:00 p.m.)
      Venus
    - December 13 at 6:30 p.m.

    The Observatory is located 20 miles southwest of downtown Wichita at MacArthur Road (39th Street South) and 247th Street West in Lake Afton County Park. It is immediately north of the lake, just off MacArthur Road. 

    For a map, click here. Current program information is available in a recorded message by calling 316-WSU-STAR (978-7827).

    Lake Afton Public Observatory:
    Observatory Home Page
    Observatory Events Page
    About the Observatory
    Observatory Exhibits
    Observatory Gift Shop
    Skylights (Our quarterly newsletter)
    School Programs
    Resources for teachers
    Life Story of a Star (WWW Tour)
    Exploring the Milky Way (WWW Tour)

    Note: An Observatory program will automatically be cancelled if there is a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning anywhere in Sedgwick County during the hour prior to the start of a program. Programs also will be cancelled if travel conditions are hazardous. If possible, the recorded program information at (316) WSU-STAR [978-7827] will be changed to reflect any program cancellations.