UCI Observatory

Did you know that UCI has it's own observatory? The Observatory at the University of California, Irvine, is located in the fields on the outskirts of campus. The observatory has a large computer-controlled telescope and numerous other smaller, portable, telescopes. The observatory hosts Visitor Nights, which are free and open to the general public, approximately 5 times per year. The next visitors night will be held on Saturday August 22nd from 8-10pm. You can use their telescopes to see Saturn, the Ring Nebula, open and globular star clusters. You can also listen to a lecture entitled "Star Clusters in the Milky Way" by Carol Thornton. The Observatory is located on the UCI campus. Visitors should park in the ICS/Engineering Parking Structure at the corner of E. Peltason and Anteater Drives for a $7 fee. Free shuttle buses will transport you between the Parking Structure and the gravel road to the Observatory. Shuttles will depart every 10 minutes starting a half hour before and ending a half hour after the event. Only in the unlikely event of rain will Visitor Night be canceled, and a notice will be posted on their website by 3 pm that day. To learn more about the observatory and visitors night head on over here. Visitors Night UCI Observatory Saturday Aug 22nd 8pm-10pm