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Notes regarding time
Open Monday and Thursday from 8 PM - 11 PM, Friday, and Saturday from 8 PM - 12 AM, weather permitting; Must schedule in advanceDescription
View the night sky at the Astronomical Observatory located off Sunnymeade Road near the back of the Liberty University Equestrian Center grounds.
Our site offers prime viewing for stargazing with open space and minimal light noise.
The Astronomical Observatory is FREE to all visitors. Advance registration is required. See “Schedule A Visit” below for details.
The Observatory is open Monday and Thursday nights from 8 PM - 11 PM and Friday and Saturday nights from 8 PM - 12 AM, all weather permitting.
Schedule a Visit:
Select your date of interest: registration opens at 6 p.m. the day before your visit and closes at 6:00 p.m. the day of. Attempts to register prior to 6 p.m. the day before your visit are not accepted. Please complete the required registration which will include your name, email address (to receive a confirmation email), the names of each person in your party, and your preferred time slot.
Link to register: https://www.liberty.edu/arts-sciences/mathematics/astronomical-observatory/visit/
Please be aware that registration sometimes opens more than 24 hours in advance to better facilitate special university events (Family Weekend, ExperienceLU, CFAW, etc). Check our Facebook page for special event updates and additional information.
This is a first-come, first-served basis for groups of up to 10 people. Please use only the number of openings you need, as space is limited. If you need to make arrangements for a larger group, please contact math@liberty.edu as soon as possible. Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before your scheduled time.
The Day of Your Visit
Check the LU Astronomical Observatory Facebook page prior to departing to be sure weather allows us to open. We are not able to email you regarding cancellations. If we are closed due to weather, you will have to register again to attend on a new night.
Print your confirmation email so you can show it to a staff member. Follow driving directions above. Google directions will take you to the wrong entrance. Please drive slowly on equestrian center grounds and arrive no more than 10 minutes before your scheduled time.
Directions to the Observatory for Your Pre-scheduled Visit:
From the intersection of University Boulevard and Candlers Mountain Road, drive east on Candlers Mountain 3.3 miles until you stop at the “T” into Sunnymeade Road. Turn left on Sunnymeade and drive 1.5 miles. You will see the white rail fence of the Equestrian Center on your left; turn left onto Traveler Road to enter the Equestrian Center. Please do not use the Lone Jack Road entrance – it will be locked.
Drive slowly (10 mph speed limit) along Traveler for about 0.5 miles, passing horse barns and the equipment shed on the left. If the red gate is open, drive through it and turn right to approach the observatory 200 yards up on the right. (If the gate is not open, we are likely closed.) Watch for pedestrians and parked equipment. It may be very dark, so drive, park, and walk carefully.
Who
All ages
Cost
Free; MUST schedule in advanceHow
Must register in advance at https://www.liberty.edu/arts-sciences/mathematics/astronomical-observatory/visit/
Our operational hours change during the year as the nights become longer and shorter. We currently open on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. We also open Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
More Info
For more information, visit https://www.liberty.edu/arts-sciences/mathematics/astronomical-observatory/
