Public Viewing Night

The Fox Park Observatory will be open for public viewing - weather permitting. Observation nights will not be held on nights with more than 30% cloud cover. You may call the Observatory at 517-645-6666 during public viewing hours to check on sky conditions.Public observation nights are suitable for people of all ages. Program fee is $2 per person or $5 per family. Local area astronomer, Jason Blaschka, will be on hand during public observation nights to answer questions about the night sky.

Observation nights will not be held on nights with more than 30% cloud cover. You may call the Observatory at 517-645-6666 during public viewing hours to check on sky conditions. Motor vehicle entry fee waived for this program.The Observatory is located inside Fox Park in the far northwest corner of the park past the beach area and new restroom facility. This is an open air facility so please dress for the weather, bring mosquito protection in the summer, and wear sensible footwear for the 200 yard walk to the Observatory.The Fox Park Public Observatory was built entirely with donations and contributions from Lansing area businesses and opened its doors for public viewing the fall of 1999. The Observatory was run by a dedicated group of amateur astronomers in conjunction with the Capital Area Astronomy Association (CAAA) for many years. When the CAAA could no longer financially support the Observatory, ownership of the Observatory was turned over to the Eaton County Parks Department.

The emphasis at the Observatory is hands-on observing, CCD imaging, astrophotography, the hunt for galaxies, globular star clusters, nebulae, asteroids, comets, and studying the planets and moons in our solar system. Public viewing nights are lead by amateur astronomers who donate their time to make the beauty of the night sky accessible to everyone.

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