SF State’s Free Public Rooftop Stargazing Nights w/ Huge Telescope (Fall 2026)
San Francisco State University Observatory | Thornton Hall, 10th Floor San Francisco State University 1600 Holloway Avenue San Francisco, CA 94132
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SF State’s Free Public Rooftop Stargazing Nights w/ Huge Telescope (Fall 2026)
San Francisco State University Observatory hosts a free public open night with family-friendly astronomy talks, updates on astronomy research, and rooftop telescope observing. Programming is offered in English and Spanish, weather permitting.
Located at SFSU Thornton Hall top floor
Upcoming Weekly Schedule Through Dec. 4, 2026
Wednesday, Thursday + Friday evenings when skies are clear.
– September: 7:30-9:30 PM.
– October: 7:00-9:30 PM.
– November/December*: 6:30-9:00 PM (thru 12/4)
November/December 2026 Closures
- The observatory will be CLOSED for Veterans day, Wednesday, Nov 11.
- The observatory will be CLOSED during Fall Recess, November 23-27, 2026.
- The Observatory will be CLOSED the last week of classes (Dec 7-11).
The LAST open public night (weather permitting) will be Friday, Dec 4, 2026
*** The Observatory is open ONLY when skies are clear! Please see SF State Instagram to check if we are closed due to poor weather conditions! ***
The SF State Observatory is a student-run facility open to all students, staff, and members of the public two or three nights per week in fall and spring semesters. With the aid of observatory docents, visitors use telescopes to look at craters on the Moon, planets, beautiful binary stars, star clusters, nebulae, and more. SF State students: need a study break? Drop by, and bring a friend!
Thornton Hall, 10th Floor
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
How do I get to the observatory?
- Take the elevator to the 9th floor of Thornton Hall.
- Find the stairwell close to the elevator.
- Walk to the top of the stairs.
- The door to the observatory will be on your LEFT.
What might I get to see if I visit the observatory in Fall 2026?
- Saturn and its large moon Titan!
- Venus in a crescent phase; September only
- Double star system Albireo in Cygnus (beautiful pair with contrasting colors); Sept/Oct
- Eta Cassiopeiae binary star system (twin of the Sun but with binary companion in a 472-year orbit!); Oct-Dec
- Andromeda galaxy (nearest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way; also known as M31); Oct-Dec
- A close-up view of the Moon and its many craters–whenever the Moon is up!
Original Event Description:
_We’re open to the public for the season! Make sure to check our stories for the final say on each night depending on weather! See you soon! San Francisco State University Observatory Located at SFSU Thornton Hall top floor! ✨ Stay tuned for celestial updates, stargazing schedules, and department events! Thursday, September 24, 2026 Join us Thursday, September 24th for a starry night at San Francisco State University! There will be fun, family friendly science talks where you can learn about the latest advances in astronomy and rooftop observing using our telescopes via our very own observatory on campus. All events throughout the night are free and will be available in both English and Spanish. Bring your friends or family along for the ride!_Text extracted from provided image:
SFSU Observatory Public Open Nights
Fall 2026
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday evenings
* when skies are clear *
September: 7:30 – 9:30 pm
October: 7:00 – 9:30 pm
Nov/Dec: 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Now until December 4
* Follow us to check if we’ll be open *
Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.
Cost: FREE*
