Monthly "AIM FOR THE STARS" programs are held on Saturday nights each month. Monthly "SHOOT FOR THE MOON" programs are held on Monday nights. All in-person programs start at Sunset.

Designed to appeal to community members of all ages, these events provide an overview of plans for the Jefferson College Observatory. You can even bring your own telescopes and binoculars to these events and can ask for help and advice on how to use your equipment.

“AIM FOR THE STARS” events and offer a glimpse into the Jefferson College Observatory, including a site tour, star map training, library telescope and binocular guidance, a meteorite exhibit, live telescope viewing, laser-guided constellation tours, and previews of upcoming astronomy events. New science instruments, such as a weather station, All-Sky Camera, Night Sky Photometer, and Auditory Sensors for wildlife detection, will be discussed.

“SHOOT FOR THE MOON” nights at the Observatory will focus on our nearest neighbor, the Moon, and imagine its future exploration. Visitors will also have a chance to learn about the Library Telescope Program (LTP). Visitors can learn how to use the library telescope before they check one out from their local library.

During each event, the dome and 16-inch telescope will be used for public viewing of planets and stars. The 1,800 sq-ft observatory patio will be available to those who want to bring their own telescopes and binoculars for family viewing.

“AIM FOR THE STARS”, Saturday dates for 2026 – January 17, February 21, March 21, April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 26, October 17, November 21, December 19.

“SHOOT FOR THE MOON”, Monday dates for 2026 – January 26, March 2, March 30, April 27, May 25, June 29, July 27, September 21, November 16. There will be a special Thursday, August 27, “Shoot for the Moon” night, scheduled during a Partial Eclipse of the Moon, more details will be published in our August 2026 eNewsletter.

In case of inclement weather where live telescope viewing is not possible, a cancellation notice will be posted on this website page no later than the day of the event.

The Jefferson College Observatory is used by Jefferson College and the St. Louis Astronomical Society to host other events. Some of these events are open to the public while other events, such as events for schools and scouts, are private. For observatory events scheduled by the St. Louis Astronomical Society, please check our Calendar for events.

Help us fund our next expansion phase. Commemorative Meteorite Packages are available for purchase.

Located in the heart of Jefferson County, the convenient location of the observatory site on the campus of Jefferson College draws visitors from Jefferson County and surrounding counties. The convenient, centralized location of Jefferson College is well known to the residents and K-12 educators in the area encouraging them to visit often. Visitors from the St. Louis regional area will find the observatory just a 30-minute drive on southbound on Missouri Route 21 ("Highway 21") from the road’s intersection to Interstate 270 in West St. Louis County.

To find the observatory on the campus of Jefferson College, click this Google map link: https://tinyurl.com/JCObservatory.

"Clear Sky Clock" has been replaced by "Astrospheric" to help astronomers evaluate observing conditions for the observatory, please click here.

Keep updated on the latest news and events at the Observatory. 

Reminder of regular events: We will remind you of upcoming, regular events such as our monthly "Aim for the Stars" events. 

Alerts on unplanned events:  Astronomy events are sometimes unpredictable, such as a comet or aurora.  If we plan to open the Observatory for one of these events, we will let you know.

Download previous month eNewsletter here:  Link

Download current eNewsletter here:  Link

Jefferson College Observatory is proud to announce the installation of a new Science Station—an exciting leap forward in our commitment to hands-on astronomical research and public engagement.

This cutting-edge station features:

• Ambient Weather Monitoring – Real-time data on temperature, humidity, wind, and more to support observational accuracy and environmental awareness.
• TESS Night Sky Photometer – A precision instrument that tracks sky brightness, helping us monitor light pollution and preserve dark skies for future generations.
• All-Sky Camera – Capturing nightly panoramic images of the sky, available for review the following day—perfect for spotting celestial events, cloud cover, and atmospheric conditions.

Whether you're a student, researcher, or curious stargazer, this station offers a window into the dynamic world above us. Explore the data, view the skies, and join us in celebrating the science of the cosmos. 

Real-time data on temperature, humidity, wind, and more to support observational accuracy and environmental awareness.

A precision instrument that tracks sky brightness, helping us monitor light pollution and preserve dark skies for future generations.

Capturing nightly panoramic images of the sky, available for review the following day—perfect for spotting celestial events, cloud cover, and atmospheric conditions.