>- Custer Institute t21
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.

This is where we check our weather - you can check it too:
>>Forecast for Southold NY<<.

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.





Updated: 09/19/23

Saturday Night Observing: Open 7pm-Midnight


Saturday,
Oct 14

12:30 pm

2023 ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE.

We'll be open for the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse!  Come join us!

april22

Join us at Custer Observatory for the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse! Witness the phenomenon of an annular solar eclipse in person through our filtered high-powered, state-of-the-art telescopes and using certified safe solar eclipse viewing glasses (provided). This rare celestial event occurs when the Moon aligns with the Sun, creating a mesmerizing "ring of fire" in the sky along the path of totality. In our area, we will experience a partial solar eclipse with the moon covering approximately 23% of the sun's disk at the peak of the eclipse at approximately 1:22pm. Watch with us as the Moon partially covers the Sun, casting a shadow over the Earth.

Don't miss this opportunity to marvel at the wonders of the universe!

Come back at 7pm as we will be open for our regular Saturday night stargazing.

This is a weather-permitting event. Please bring a blanket or chair to comfortably view the eclipse from our lawn. Certified safe solar viewing glasses will be provided at check-in.

$8 Adult, $5 Children Under 16, $3 Observatory Members. Your donations allow Custer Observatory to continue to offer programs like this to the community and are greatly appreciated.

An annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but when it is at or near its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the Sun. As a result, the Moon appears as a dark disk on top of a larger, bright disk, creating what looks like a ring around the Moon.

A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth but the Sun, Moon, and Earth are not perfectly lined up. Only a part of the Sun will appear to be covered, giving it a crescent shape. During a total or annular solar eclipse, people outside the area covered by the Moon’s inner shadow see a partial solar eclipse.

Registration/Ticket Portal is here:
register
Saturday,
Oct 21

7:00pm

INTERNATIONAL OBSERVE THE MOON NIGHT 2023.

Join us as we celebrate International Observe the Moon Night 2023 and try to catch a view of the Orionid Meteor Shower!
oct21

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. This year's celebration also falls during the peak of the Orionid Meteor Shower which can be viewed with the naked eye. Join us and try to catch a glimpse of one of these spectacular "shooting stars" and learn about our Moon.

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

$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.

Registration/Ticket Portal is here:
register
Saturday,
Oct 28

4:30 pm

Custer Board Meeting.

Members welcome.
Saturday,
Dec 9

4:30 pm

Custer Board Meeting.

Members welcome.

Lunar and Solar Eclipse Explained: A Beginner’s Guide to Eclipses

Skywatching Tips from NASA

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.