The SF State Observatory is a student-run facility open to all students, staff, and to members of the public two or three nights per week during the school year, when skies are clear. With the aid of observatory docents, visitors use the telescopes to look at craters on the Moon, the rings of Saturn, giant star clusters, nebulae created by dying stars, the Andromeda galaxy, and much more. Need a study break? Come on by, and bring a friend!
SPRING 2023 Public Open Nights
April is solar observing month!
Come take a look at the Sun and sunspots through a solar telescope on the plaza in front of Thornton Hall. When skies are clear the telescope will be set up at the following times throughout the month of April:
| Mondays | 12:30 - 1:30 PM |
| Tuesdays | 1:45 - 2:45 PM & 3:30 - 4:30 PM |
| Wednesdays | 12:30 - 1:30 PM |
| Thursdays | 10:30 - 11:30 AM |
Nighttime Observing: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights only
| Feb. 6 - Mar. 9 | 6:30-9:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mar. 13-16 | 7:30-9:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mar. 27-30 | 7:30-9:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Apr. 3-27 | 8:00-9:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||||
| May 1-11 | 8:15-9:30 PM |
Visit Us
Thornton Hall, 10th Floor
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
Questions & Inquiries? Please contact Jim Gibson (Astronomy Laboratory, Planetarium, and Observatory Technician) at jimg@sfsu.edu or 415-338-6164.