Lookout Observatory
Asheville’s Window to the Universe
Lookout Observatory is dedicated to helping UNC Asheville students and community members of all ages and interest levels understand and enjoy astronomy. UNC Asheville and the Astronomy Club of Asheville regularly offer free events at the observatory that are open to the public, as well as scheduled visits for schools and other organized groups. Come join us at our next event or contact us with interest for a group visit.
Please note that as we recover from some water damage from Helene, the Lookout building will be closed. We will be hosting stargazes on the patio of Lookout until further notice and limiting ticket availability to avoid overcrowding.
To keep updated on all our events please join our mailing list by filling by filling out the Lookout Observatory Mailing List Form to be notified when registration will open.
Be sure to like us on Facebook to keep up to date with what’s happening at Lookout, with the Astronomy Club of Asheville, and in the universe!
Upcoming Stargazes
Call to Action
The observatory offers opportunities to:
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- Greater Asheville community members and school children who attend public outreach events offering science education and astronomical observation;
- Advanced UNC Asheville students performing guided research alongside Department of Physics faculty;
- Members of the Astronomy Club of Asheville, a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization, exploring the night sky and sharing their dedication to helping community members of all ages and interest levels understand and enjoy astronomy;
- UNC Asheville introductory Astronomy students who experience course concepts first-hand utilizing the observatory’s laboratory capabilities.
FAQ
Lookout Observatory opened its doors to the public for the first time November 14, 2014. Public events will continue to be scheduled. Registration is required to attend. To do so, please fill out the Lookout Observatory Registration Form online.
Please note that as we recover from some water damage from Helene, the Lookout building will be closed. We will be hosting stargazes on the patio of Lookout until further notice and limiting ticket availability to avoid overcrowding. See our registration page for details of when and how to register for the next stargaze. See our registration page for details of when and how to register for the next stargaze.
The facility provides students of all ages and the public hands-on experience with telescopes and related state-of-the-art instrumentation, and the experience of first-hand observations, for which there is no substitute. The new facility also provides a laboratory for astronomical research and students with research experience.
UNC Asheville Physics Department faculty members work with K-12 teachers to coordinate trips to the facility by school classes and groups, as well as online access to remote viewing sessions. The Astronomy Club of Asheville offers its members access to the facility on a regular basis; membership in the Club is $25 annually for individuals and $30 for families. UNC Asheville also will host periodic no-cost guided star-gazing sessions for the public. Check the Upcoming Stargazes page for information about our next event.
Parking at the observatory is limited to faculty conducting research and users requiring handicap access. Classes and programs using the facility will use existing campus parking; students and guests will be transported to and from the site by campus shuttle. Nut Hill Road will remain gated and closed to other traffic.
Lookout Observatory, which includes a retractable roof that opens to facilitate observations via mounted, computer-controlled telescopes, was built with a $546,000 donation from the Astronomy Club of Asheville. The club also provided one of the two 14-inch telescopes; the university already owned the second telescope. UNC Asheville is responsible for costs of ongoing maintenance of all academic buildings on our campus, including the observatory.
University neighbors are welcome to use all the hiking trails around Lookout.
If you have further questions, you may email lookout@unca.edu or call the observatory at 828.250.3958.
Stay in the Know
If you would like to receive periodic emails regarding upcoming observatory events, please fill out the form below. If you would like to be removed from the mailing list, please email lookout@unca.edu.
You may also Like the Lookout Observatory Facebook page to know when registration for our next public event opens.