True Star Power

Go to a Star Party at Robert Ferguson Observatory in Sonoma Valley

Once a month, usually on a Saturday, Robert Ferguson Observatory in Sonoma Valley's Sugarloaf Ridge State Park hosts a “star party”—a truly enlightening evening! At dusk, the observatory opens, giving the public access to celestial viewing via three powerful telescopes: the 24-inch reflecting, the 8-inch refracting, and the 14-inch robotic telescope, unique because it’s a computer-controlled scientific-grade camera.

Robert Ferguson Observatory

Robert Ferguson Observatory

Spy dynamic star clusters like the Bee Hive, see Saturn up close, and learn about everything from star alignments to black holes in seminars occurring throughout the evening. Amateur astronomers—who know their stuff!—set up their telescopes in the parking lot next to the observatory; peer into their personal telescopes and get all kinds of trivia on the solar system. Star power has its perks!

FULL MOON GUIDED HIKE BONUS: Tonight (August 11, 2022) there's a guided full moon hike at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.

Visit Robert Ferguson Observatory’s website for all upcoming star parties.

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