Jack C. Davis Observatory
Jack C. Davis Observatory
The Jack C. Davis Observatory is open to the public and provides a research-level facility for WNC students and the community. The observatory is located at 2269 Vanpatten Ave., on the northern end of the Carson City Campus.
Wishing on a Star . . .
The Jack C. Davis Observatory at Western Nevada College in Carson City is a premier place in northern Nevada to get “up close and personal” with the moon, stars and planets. With both interior and exterior telescopes, and perched on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Davis Observatory is the place to be for astronomical happenings, planetary walks, and informative classes that keep students, scientists and the community on the edge of the latest technological advances.
. . . . Dreams Can Come True
It took the vision of WNC faculty, the work of community volunteers, and the generous donations of individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations to create the Jack C. Davis Observatory. Named for the founding president of Western Nevada College, the Davis Observatory’s First Light on May 15, 2003, featured a lecture by astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the Moon, and visits by hundreds of well-wishers.
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Observatory Public Viewing Schedule
The Observatory is open to the public for lectures, education, community outreach, and telescope viewing according to the schedule below. Our events require no tickets, reservations, or payment. We are completely free and welcome you to join us!
Jack C. Davis Observatory Schedule of Events 26/278/8/26 - Star Party8/12/26 - Perseids Meteor Shower Party8/14-/15 - 8pm-11pm - Lake Lahontan - Cosmos in the Desert9/5/26 - Star Party9/19/26 - International Observe the Moon Night10/3/26 - World Space Week kickoff/Saturn at opposition10/10/26 - Star Party11/7/26 - A Celebration of Carl Sagan11/14/26 - Star Party12/5/26 - Star Party12/12/26 - Star Party12/21/26 - 12pm-2pm - Solstice Party1/2/27 - Quarantids Meteor Shower1/9/27 - Star Party2/6/27 - Star Party/Jupiter at opposition2/27/27 - Star Party/planetary alignment3/6/27 - Star Party3/27/27 - Star Party4/3/27 - Star Party4/17/27 - Star Party/planetary alignment5/1/27 - Star Party5/5/27 - Aquarids Meteor Shower5/8/27 - Star Party6/5/27 - Star Party6/12/27 - Star Party6/21/27 - 12pm-2pm - Solstice Party*all hours are 6:30pm-11pm unless otherwise noted
Saturday Night Star Parties in Honor of Mike Thomas
The continuing lecture series at the Jack C Davis Observatory are presented periodically throughout the year. Lectures start 30 minutes after the doors open for the Saturday night star party. Doors open at 6:30PM, and the lectures start at 7PM.
For more information, please contact us at jcdo@wnc.edu. JCDO Logistics Coordinator can be reached at justine.stout@wnc.edu. JCDO director can be reached at thomas.herring@wnc.edu.
Lecture topics have included:
Alexander the Great
A Tour of the Universe
Celestial Wonders
Star Trek
The Trojan War
Greatest Discoveries in 400 Years of Astronomy
The Voyagers
Hubble Space Telescope Images
Top Ten Recent Astronomy Stories
Galileo the Astronomer
Jules Verne, the father of Science Fiction
Isaac Newton
Space Art
Kaguya, Japan Goes to the Moon
2001 A Space Odyssey
Lord Horatio Nelson, Admiral of the Seas
A Giant Step The story of America’s journey to the Moon. Two 50 Min lectures.
Jack C. Davis Observatory Astrophotography
Omega Centauri, King of the Star Clusters
Flash Gordon
2012, The End of the World?
Killer Asteroids from Outer Space
NASA-Project Mercury
Leonardo da Vinci
Wyatt Earp, The Legend