Party with the Stars on Saturdays at WNCC

Return to the Jack C. Davis Observatory home page

Looking for something fun to do on Saturday night? Get "up close and personal" with the moon and planets or take a walk through the solar system at Western Nevada Community College’s "Star Parties" from dusk until 11 p.m. at the Jack C. Davis Observatory, 2699 Van Patten Ave.

Volunteers from the Western Nevada Astronomical Society serve as hosts, opening the observatory approximately one hour before dark and offering one-on-one telescope training for novices. Participants have the opportunity to look through different telescopes, discuss the night sky, and ask astronomy-related questions.

The observatory features 16-inch, 14-inch, and 10-inch telescopes. Outside is a fourth telescope located in a robo-dome, used for studying the sun.

Participants can also go for a stroll on a quarter-mile-long Planetary Walkway that connects the WNCC campus with the observatory. Lining the walkway path are sandstone sculptures created by inmates at the Nevada State Prison’s old quarry. The stones feature carved images of the planets, and information about each one.

The Jack C. Davis Observatory is the place to be in northern Nevada for astronomical happenings, planetary walks, and informative classes.

Saturn and its colorful rings.