Welcome to the Custer Institute & Observatory

Long Island's oldest public observatory (est. 1927)

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.


Custer Links



Updated: 10/16/21

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.
Saturday,
Oct 23

8:30pm.

INTERNATIONAL OBSERVE THE MOON NIGHT 2021.

This event was rescheduled from October 16 to October 23 at 8:30pm due to weather.

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In cooperation with NASA, Custer Observatory will be participating in this special International Observe the Moon Night event.  This is a worldwide celebration of lunar science and exploration held annually since 2010. One day each year, everyone on Earth is invited to observe and learn about the Moon together, and to celebrate the cultural and personal connections we all have with our nearest celestial neighbor.

Ed Anderson, a member of the Astronomical Society of Long Island (ASLI) and of the Custer Institute, will give a talk outdoors from 8:30pm-9:30pm about observing the moon.  He will discuss how you can view the moon with binoculars or small telescope, he'll discuss the best times to view the Moon, useful observing tools, and he'll identify interesting things that will be visible that night.

After the presentation, if the weather is clear, the Custer Observatory dome and other telescopes on site will be open for viewing and guided by Observatory staff.

Before the night ends, we will take an official count of the number of people observing the Moon at one time. Join us!

$5 Adult, $3 Children Under 16 , Observatory Members FREE. Your donations allow Custer Observatory to continue to offer programs like this to the community and are greatly appreciated. Attendance may be limited and restrictions in place per NYS COVID-19 guidelines required at the time of the event. Please bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the presentation.

Please bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the presentation. 

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Friday,
Oct 29

Members' Night.

As a member, check your CusterObservatoryMembers email the week before for details.
Saturday,
Nov 6

4:30 pm

Custer Board Meeting.

Members welcome.
Saturday,
Dec 4

4:30 pm

Custer Board Meeting.

Members welcome.
Saturday,
Jan 8

4:30 pm

Custer Board Meeting.

Members welcome.

"The Big Challenge", NASA Documentary 1967

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.