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Rafes at night

Our last public star party of the year is scheduled for December 13th from 7:00-10:00pm!

While we cannot see 3I/Atlas comet during the star party, we will celebrating our interstellar friend's visit with some fun facts and information on how you can view it during this month and early January!

As a reminder, payment by card is our only option for purchasing tickets as we have gone cash-less since the start of November. You can buy tickets beforehand or on site through our online system linked below. Be sure to come out and enjoy some fall season stargazing!
Advanced tickets for  12/13 Public Star Party will be available for purchase here.

PUBLIC STAR PARTIES

Come join us at the Rafes Urban Astronomy Center on the first and third Saturday of every month for our Star Party. At Star Parties, you can learn about the night sky from our knowledgeable staff and students and enjoy an opportunity to see objects in space through our telescopes!

Start time for our Star Party varies based on sundown, so we update the top of this page with the start time and the weather call. Also, make sure to check back at 2:00pm the day of the Star Party to assure it hasn't been canceled due to weather.  This is when we post our weather call.

Advance Tickets are Available Online Here. Your Support Helps Ensure a Smooth Experience – Thank You!

PRICING

Admission to our bi-monthly star parties is $6 per person! Tickets can only be purchased by card through our online ticketing system before hand or upon arrival. Children 4 and younger get in for free!

We also offer a Saturday Sky Theater / Star Party (Observatory) Combo Deal**:

  •  Students/UNT Employees/Seniors/Kids: $9
  • Adults: $12

*Tickets can now be purchased in advance online. Refunds will be issued if the event is canceled due to the weather.  These refunds will be processed the next business day after the event and should credit your account within the next 3-5 business days.  Weather cancellation is the only reason we will be able to process refunds. 

**The Combo Deal will get you admission into the Sky Theater 1:00pm or 5:30pm show that day, then admission into the Star Party later that night. Combo tickets can only be purchased upon arrival to our box office for the Sky Theater showtimes listed above. Note the Sky Theater is located at UNT Environmental Science Building and not at the Rafes Urban Astronomy Center.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Directions to the observatory can be found here.

We ask that you review our rules for the star party before heading out to the observatory, as this will ensure that everyone has a safe and fun night under the stars!

  • The gate to the observatory from the parking lot opens at the specified event start time. You are welcome to come early to secure parking, but we ask that you stay in the field parking lot until a staff member opens the gate and begins ticketing
  • Please avoid shinning bright lights during the event! Having these lights in the middle of a star party ruins our night vision and disrupts the event 
    This includes:
    • Shining your headlights directly onto the observatory 
    • Using flash photography when taking photos
    • Shinning flashlights that are not red lights
  • Please throw away any trash in our trashcan found inside Classroom 1
  • In respect for all patrons, we ask that you keep an eye on your child throughout the star party. This is so our star party can be a fun event for all, no matter the age!

Image of the inside of a hut during a star party

Give us a call at (940) 369-8213 or email skytheater@unt.edu for any questions.