Support Custer through General Donations, Building & Restoration Project, and by becoming a Member!

All observing is done out in the open air, under the stars. Dress appropriately.

This is where we check our weather - you can check it too:
>>Forecast for Southold NY<<.

News 12 East End: Custer Institute in Southold

The Custer Institute is the gateway to the known and unknown universe.
News 12's Joe Arena took a trip to Long Island's Southold,
where you can explore the night sky and see how the observatory has changed.

Play the video!

For the Curious

The Custer Institute and Observatory is Long Island's oldest public observatory (est.1927). Open to the public every Saturday evening from dusk until midnight, our staff of volunteers will give you a tour of the facilities and the night sky through our powerful telescopes. Custer has a library, exhibit room, and gift shop. Frequent lectures, classes,concerts, art exhibits and other special events.





Updated: 03/06/24

Saturday Night Observing: Open 7pm-Midnight


Saturday,
March 23

4:30 pm

Custer Board Meeting.

Members welcome.
MONDAY,
April 8

2:30PM - 4:30PM

2024 GREAT NORTH AMERICAN SOLAR ECLIPSE.

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Join us at Custer Observatory for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse! Witness the phenomenon of a solar eclipse in person through our filtered high-powered, state-of-the-art telescopes and using certified safe solar eclipse viewing glasses (provided). This rare celestial event occurs when the Moon aligns with the Sun, creating a shadow across the Earth along the path of totality. In our area, we will experience a partial solar eclipse with the moon covering approximately 90% of the sun's disk at the peak of the eclipse at approximately 3:27pm. Watch with us as the Moon partially covers the Sun, casting a shadow over the Earth.

The next total solar eclipse in our area will not be seen for another 20 years in 2044! Don't miss this rare opportunity to marvel at the wonders of the universe!

$10 Adult, $8 Children Under 16, $5 Observatory Members. Your donations make it possible to offer programs like these and are greatly appreciated. Due to limited space, registration is strongly encouraged.

This is a weather-permitting event. Please bring a blanket or chair to comfortably view the eclipse from our lawn. Certified safe solar viewing glasses will be provided at check-in.

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, obscuring the view of the Sun from a small part of the Earth, totally or partially. Total eclipses are rare because they require precise alignment between the centers of the Sun and Moon, and because the Moon's apparent size in the sky is sometimes too small to fully cover the Sun.

Looking directly at the Sun can lead to permanent eye damage, so special eye protection or indirect viewing techniques are needed when viewing a solar eclipse.

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Saturday,
May 18

4:30 pm

Custer Board Meeting.

Members welcome.
Saturday,
June 22

4:30 pm

Custer Board Meeting.

Members welcome.

What's Up: February 2024 Skywatching Tips from NASA

What are some skywatching highlights in December 2023? Clear skies will make for ideal viewing of the Geminid meteor shower, and grab your binoculars to search for asteroid Vesta.