UNH Observatory

05/16/2026

The Star Party is on for tonight from 9-11 pm! Stop by for a view of Jupiter, the constellations, and star clusters! Free to attend and a great family outing!

The next scheduled Star Party is on June 6th, from 9-11 pm!

05/02/2026

It looks like we have another cloudy Saturday evening, so we unfortunately have to cancel the regularly-scheduled Star Party this evening. Our next Star Party is May 16th, from 9-11 pm!

Thanks for the idea for a pop-up Star Party! Last night had a great turn-out and went great! It was good to see you all again!

05/02/2026

The New England Fall Astronomy Festival Save The Date Announcement! Help the UNH Observatory prepare for NEFAF 2026 follow this link to donate to the UNH Observatory: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/34914/donations/new?designation=observatoryfund

05/01/2026

We are doing a pop-up Star Party tonight from 8:30-10:30 pm! Please join us under some clear skies to look at Jupiter, star clusters, and constellations!

04/18/2026

The clouds are rolling in over Durham tonight. The star party scheduled tonight is unfortunately canceled as a result. Our next star party is May 2nd from 9-11 pm.

As an aside, I think this is the longest streak of poor weather on Star Party dates. It's a very unfortunate record!

04/15/2026

Here's your chance to help us keep the New England Fall Astronomy Festival going. Follow the link below to contribute directly to the Festival:
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/34914/donations/new?designation=newenglandfallastronomyfestival&

04/15/2026

You still have a chance to donate to the New England Fall Festival! Follow this link to support NEFAF:

https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/34914/donations/new?designation=newenglandfallastronomyfestival&

Now we have a date!!

04/09/2026

Dear Friends and Supporters of the UNH Observatory and the New England Fall Astronomy Festival:

UNH's 603 Challenge is open and waiting for your donation to help keep the New England Fall Astronomy Festival (NEFAF) going. Your generous financial support will go a long way toward supporting the 2026 New England Fall Astronomy Festival (NEFAF 2026)!

Our Planning Committee is already planning the speakers and activities that will bring to life another content-rich, fun, and entertaining Astronomy Festival that will bring the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS) and the College of Life Science and Agriculture (COLSA) together to offer you the latest science, informative stargazing opportunities, and lots of fun, family hands-on learning activities for the scientifically curious of ALL ages.

Follow the link below to make your contribution TODAY.

Here is the link to directly support NEFAF:

https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/75574/donations/new?tc=86679&designation=H162

If you've attended the festival in the past, you know what an awesome experience it is for anyone curious about Astronomy and space exploration. Help us to keep NEFAF going strong! Your help is very much appreciated!

Join me and make a gift to The (603) Challenge 2026

04/05/2026

Greetings UNH Observatory Friends:

We are happy to report that we are in the planning phases for NEFAF 2026 and we are finalizing the date for this year's event. But we need your help this year. Unless we're able to raise most of the funds needed ourselves, the festival will not happen. On April 7, UNH's largest fund raiser of the year opens and here's where you can help. The 603 team has created a link for you to directly contribute to the festival. Follow the link below and all of your donation will end up right where it can be used to pay for all we need to make the festival what it has been in the past since 2011. Many of our expenses for the festival come due months before the festival so we can reserve our tents, rocket kits and engines and the supplies we need for the Hands-On Science Educational booth. Contributing to the 603 Challenge will provide us the funds we need when we need them.

Here is the link to directly support NEFAF:

https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/75574/donations/new?tc=86679&designation=H162

If you've attended the festival in the past, you know what an awesome experience it is for anyone curious about Astronomy and space exploration. Help us to keep NEFAF going strong! Your help is very much appreciated!

Clear Skies!

04/04/2026

The Star Party that was scheduled for this evening is canceled. At this point, I'm starting to think we are the source of the clouds - it looks nice all day, but just as the party would have started, clouds roll in for rain! Our next Star Party is scheduled for April 18th, 9-11 pm. Until then, Happy Easter!