Welcome to the Custer Institute & Observatory

Long Island's oldest public observatory (est. 1927)

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, museum, and gift shop. Frequent lectures, classes,concerts, art exhibits and other special events.


Custer Links

Saturday Night Observing: Open 7pm-Midnight

Contact a human: Call, E-mail, and Visit

General Saturday night observing:
No reservations ~ No Appointments,
and no guarantees as far as the weather!
Suggested donation of $5 adults and $3 children.

Some special events (concerts, lectures, etc)
do have fees and require registration.

We can only remain open due to your generous donations and by becoming a member.

As an all-volunteer organization, we can only guarantee to check phone messages when we are there Saturday nights.



The Custer Observatory's phone number is:
631-765-2626

We are located at
1115 Main Bayview Road
Southold, New York 11971
See the map below

Our mailing address is:
PO Box 1204
Southold, New York 11971

Anne Spooner, President:
Alan Cousins, Vice President:
Bill Crispino, Secretary:
Virginia Cava, Treasurer:

Directors-at-Large:
Farhan Ali:
Justine Haupt:
Barbara Lebkuecher:
David van Popering:



In the map below, enter where you are coming from and find out how to get here!


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