Welcome to the Custer Institute & Observatory
Long Island's oldest public observatory (est. 1927)

Support Custer through General Donations, Building & Restoration Project, and by becoming a Member!
All observing is done out in the open air, under the stars. Dress appropriately.
Please wear a mask when inside the buildings.
For the Curious
The Custer Institute and Observatory is Long Island's oldest public observatory (est.1927). Open to the public every Saturday evening from dusk until midnight, our staff of volunteers will give you a tour of the facilities and the night sky through our powerful telescopes. Custer has a library, exhibit room, and gift shop. Frequent lectures, classes,concerts, art exhibits and other special events.




- Ridgewood Savings Bank
- The New York Community Trust
- The Joe & Hellen Darion Foundation
- The Harold Family Foundation

- Visit & Contact
- Membership Information
- Member Nights
- Our Equipment
- Custer History
- Radio Astronomy
- Music Project
- Eclipses and Transits
- Meteor Showers
- Custer Maker Space
- News & Resources


Updated: 06/21/22

Check our weather and the moon phase
Weather permitting, Saturday Night Observing is from 7pm to midnight where volunteer Staff provide guided tours of the sky.
Check back often for the lastest information regarding programs and news.
Everyone loves the moon! Check the phase of the Moon here and remember, less moon = darker skies which is what you need to see many deep sky objects such as those found in the Messier Catalog or the NGC Objects. But whether the Moon is just a sliver or full, it's always great to see through our telescopes! As a volunteer organization, we can really only guarantee to answer the phone Saturday nights when we are there. Check back here and our facebook page for the latest information. |
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Saturday, June 25 4:30 pm |
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING & BBQ.![]() Join us for our annual meeting! Join members of Custer Institute & Observatory for our annual meeting and board elections. This meeting will be held outdoors and will be followed by an outdoor BBQ and stargazing. This is a members-only event. |
Friday, July 1 6 pm |
CUSTER HONEY BEE CLUB MEET.![]() Join us for our Honey Bee Club monthly meeting! Custer's Honey Bee Club is a group of enthusiastic beekeepers and bee lovers who get together once a month to share their honey bee experiences and learn from each other about how to keep bees, sustainable bee practices and hive management. At these informal meetings, you will have a chance to meet and mingle with beekeepers of all levels, from the novice beekeeper to the professional. Custer Institute has a community bee yard and other facilities that allows for hands-on collaborative learning and demonstrations, and which is surrounded by a beautiful arboretum. Not yet a beekeeper, but want to learn what beekeeping is all about? Are you a backyard beekeeper looking for other backyard beekeepers? Or a professional beekeeper interested in getting involved with the growing North Fork beekeeping movement? Come join us! |
Saturday, July 2 9 pm
Raindate: |
GENE CASEY AND THE LONE SHARKS AT CUSTER OBSERVATORY.![]() Celebrate the summer with a live outdoor concert by Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks under the North Fork starry night sky! Join us for a live outdoor concert under the stars with Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks! |
Saturday, July 9 4:30 pm |
Custer Board Meeting.Members welcome. |
Saturday, July 16 9 pm
Raindate: |
EXPLORING & NAVIGATING THE SUMMER NIGHT SKY.![]() Learn how to explore and navigate the summer night sky, including the summer constellations, and stories behind them! |
Friday, Aug 5 6 pm |
CUSTER HONEY BEE CLUB MEET.![]() Join us for our Honey Bee Club monthly meeting! Custer's Honey Bee Club is a group of enthusiastic beekeepers and bee lovers who get together once a month to share their honey bee experiences and learn from each other about how to keep bees, sustainable bee practices and hive management. At these informal meetings, you will have a chance to meet and mingle with beekeepers of all levels, from the novice beekeeper to the professional. Custer Institute has a community bee yard and other facilities that allows for hands-on collaborative learning and demonstrations and which is surrounded by a beautiful arboretum. Not yet a beekeeper, but want to learn what beekeeping is all about? Are you a backyard beekeeper looking for other backyard beekeepers? Or a professional beekeeper interested in getting involved with the growing North Fork beekeeping movement? Come join us! |
Saturday, Aug 13 8:30 pm
Raindate: |
THE INVISIBLE UNIVERSE.![]() Discover the mysteries of our universe in this outdoor presentation! |
Friday, Sept 2 6 pm |
CUSTER HONEY BEE CLUB MEET.![]() Join us for our Honey Bee Club monthly meeting! Custer's Honey Bee Club is a group of enthusiastic beekeepers and bee lovers who get together once a month to share their honey bee experiences and learn from each other about how to keep bees, sustainable bee practices and hive management. At these informal meetings, you will have a chance to meet and mingle with beekeepers of all levels, from the novice beekeeper to the professional. Custer Institute has a community bee yard and other facilities that allows for hands-on collaborative learning and demonstrations and which is surrounded by a beautiful arboretum. Not yet a beekeeper, but want to learn what beekeeping is all about? Are you a backyard beekeeper looking for other backyard beekeepers? Or a professional beekeeper interested in getting involved with the growing North Fork beekeeping movement? Come join us! |
Saturday, Sept 10 8 pm
Raindate: |
EXPLORING & NAVIGATING THE AUTUMN NIGHT SKY.![]() Learn how to explore and navigate the autumn night sky, including the fall constellations, and stories behind them! |
NASA Live: Official Stream of NASA TV
NASA TV Public-Education
NASA TV airs a variety of regularly scheduled, pre-recorded educational and public relations programming 24 hours a day on its various channels. The network also provides an array of live programming, such as 24-hour coverage of International Space Station events (spacewalks, media interviews, educational broadcasts), and rocket launches.