FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to make a reservation to visit?
Our Saturday night open house stargazing and tours do not require a reservation. You can visit anytime between 7pm (8 pm Memorial Day through Labor Day) and midnight. If you would like to attend one of our special events, such as lectures, concerts, etc., registration is strongly encouraged due to limited space. Our special events frequently sell out, after which we are not able to take walk-ins. If you would like to receive email notifications of special events, submit a note on our Contact Us page or join us as a member today.
When are you open?
Custer Institute and Observatory is open every Saturday night, all year round from 7 pm until midnight (8 pm-midnight Memorial Day through Labor Day). If you're interested in stargazing through our telescopes, please check the weather before coming out. We cannot conduct telescope viewing when it's cloudy or raining. On cloudy and rainy days we are open for tours of the facility only. If it's clear out, our telescopes will be open for observing.
Are the telescopes inside?
Some of the telescopes are indoors, however, the roof (observatory dome) will be open to allow for viewing, so the space becomes an open air environment and temperatures will be the same as outdoors. Please dress for the weather accordingly. Other telescopes are located outdoors.
Where can I park?
Parking is available in the grassy lot to the right of the facility. (South side).
Are Electric Vehicle Chargers Available?
Tesla and universal electric vehicle chargers are available on Saturday nights only. Due to the high costs of electricity, we request a donation be made at the time of charging.
Can I bring my dog with me?
Our indoor space is small and visitors inside can be in close contact. As a result, we cannot invite companion pets inside. You are welcome to have your dog with you outside, but it must be leashed and responsibly managed by their handler.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
No. If you are registered for a special event, we will have your name on a list at check-in. You do not need to bring or show your ticket. If you have a telescope or binoculars, we welcome and encourage you to bring them and set up on our lawn. However, these are not required. When the weather permits, we have telescopes open and operated by our Observatory staff that you can view from.
Will I be able to look through the telescope?
Yes, in our main observation dome, you will be able to look through the eyepiece of the telescope. We often have telescopes set up on our lawn that you would be able to view through an eyepiece. Some telescopes on the property utilize electronically assisted astronomy technology, and those images are displayed on a monitor rather than viewed through an eyepiece.
What is the cost of admission?
For our regular Saturday night open house tours and stargazing, we request a suggested donation of $5/adult and $3/children. Members are free for unlimited visits. Our special events, such as concerts and talks, usually have additional ticket costs, which vary depending on the program. Details can be found on our EVENTS page or in the program description.