Michigan State University Observatory
@msu-observatory.bsky.social
Home to the MSU Observational Research Program (MORP)
Your Support Will Make a Big Difference!
MSU Observatory’s public programs are led by volunteers and supported by donations, and currently reach about 2000 people each year.
givingto.msu.edu/causes-to-su...
MSU Observatory’s public programs are led by volunteers and supported by donations, and currently reach about 2000 people each year.
givingto.msu.edu/causes-to-su...
December 2, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Your Support Will Make a Big Difference!
MSU Observatory’s public programs are led by volunteers and supported by donations, and currently reach about 2000 people each year.
givingto.msu.edu/causes-to-su...
MSU Observatory’s public programs are led by volunteers and supported by donations, and currently reach about 2000 people each year.
givingto.msu.edu/causes-to-su...
Globular cluster M71 (the Angelfish cluster) and Andromeda Galaxy observed by MORP student observers!
November 19, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Globular cluster M71 (the Angelfish cluster) and Andromeda Galaxy observed by MORP student observers!
Happy Friday! We're still not over Wednesday night's spectacular view of the Northern Lights!
November 14, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Happy Friday! We're still not over Wednesday night's spectacular view of the Northern Lights!
We had such a fun time at the Halloween public night last Friday! Thanks to everyone who stopped by, we'll be open again for public nights in the spring.
October 28, 2025 at 2:53 AM
We had such a fun time at the Halloween public night last Friday! Thanks to everyone who stopped by, we'll be open again for public nights in the spring.
Join us from 7-10pm rain or shine on Friday, October 24th for a night of fun Halloween activities, a costume contest, candy, and stargazing.
Costume Contest:
Kid Costume Vote: 8-8:30pm
Adult Costume Vote: 8:30-9pm
Prize for winners!
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Costume Contest:
Kid Costume Vote: 8-8:30pm
Adult Costume Vote: 8:30-9pm
Prize for winners!
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
October 22, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Join us from 7-10pm rain or shine on Friday, October 24th for a night of fun Halloween activities, a costume contest, candy, and stargazing.
Costume Contest:
Kid Costume Vote: 8-8:30pm
Adult Costume Vote: 8:30-9pm
Prize for winners!
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Costume Contest:
Kid Costume Vote: 8-8:30pm
Adult Costume Vote: 8:30-9pm
Prize for winners!
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Join us tomorrow (Saturday) from 7:00-10:00pm for public night at the MSU Observatory! We have lots of fun moon and astronomy activities planned!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
October 3, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Join us tomorrow (Saturday) from 7:00-10:00pm for public night at the MSU Observatory! We have lots of fun moon and astronomy activities planned!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Join us for these free astronomy events tomorrow, September 27th! 🌌
🌙 Night hike and night sky observing with Abrams Planetarium at Burchfield Park: www.lansing.org/event/burchf...
🌙 Public Observing at the MSU Observatory: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
🌙 Night hike and night sky observing with Abrams Planetarium at Burchfield Park: www.lansing.org/event/burchf...
🌙 Public Observing at the MSU Observatory: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
September 26, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Join us for these free astronomy events tomorrow, September 27th! 🌌
🌙 Night hike and night sky observing with Abrams Planetarium at Burchfield Park: www.lansing.org/event/burchf...
🌙 Public Observing at the MSU Observatory: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
🌙 Night hike and night sky observing with Abrams Planetarium at Burchfield Park: www.lansing.org/event/burchf...
🌙 Public Observing at the MSU Observatory: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
The only thing brighter than the stars tonight? Our gratitude to @redbull for keeping us energized!
September 15, 2025 at 6:25 AM
The only thing brighter than the stars tonight? Our gratitude to @redbull for keeping us energized!
Join us on tonight from 8:30-10:30pm for public night at the MSU Observatory!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
September 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Join us on tonight from 8:30-10:30pm for public night at the MSU Observatory!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Billions of years in the making, just in time for Friday night viewing. Swan Nebula (M17), Pinwheel Galaxy (M101), and Whirlpool Galaxy (M51a) captured with our 24-inch telescope.
September 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Billions of years in the making, just in time for Friday night viewing. Swan Nebula (M17), Pinwheel Galaxy (M101), and Whirlpool Galaxy (M51a) captured with our 24-inch telescope.
Join us on Saturday from 8:30-10:30pm for public night at the MSU Observatory!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
August 30, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Join us on Saturday from 8:30-10:30pm for public night at the MSU Observatory!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Join us on Saturday from 9:00-11:00pm for public night at the MSU Observatory!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
August 9, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Join us on Saturday from 9:00-11:00pm for public night at the MSU Observatory!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Unfortunately, we are cancelling our public night that was scheduled for August 2nd due to an upcoming upgrade. Instead, visit Fox Park Observatory! (www.eatoncounty.org/651/Public-V...)
They will be having public nights on Friday August 1st, and Saturday August 2nd from 9:00pm-12:00am.
They will be having public nights on Friday August 1st, and Saturday August 2nd from 9:00pm-12:00am.
July 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Unfortunately, we are cancelling our public night that was scheduled for August 2nd due to an upcoming upgrade. Instead, visit Fox Park Observatory! (www.eatoncounty.org/651/Public-V...)
They will be having public nights on Friday August 1st, and Saturday August 2nd from 9:00pm-12:00am.
They will be having public nights on Friday August 1st, and Saturday August 2nd from 9:00pm-12:00am.
One of our student observers colored this image of the Andromeda galaxy (M31) through applying separate layers of RGB filters and adjusting the opacity via Clip Studio Paint!
July 23, 2025 at 2:26 AM
One of our student observers colored this image of the Andromeda galaxy (M31) through applying separate layers of RGB filters and adjusting the opacity via Clip Studio Paint!
"Maybe Mondays aren't so bad..."
-Nayda, MSU Student Observer
Pictured is the Eagle Nebula (M16) and the moon taken on our 24-inch telescope this summer!
-Nayda, MSU Student Observer
Pictured is the Eagle Nebula (M16) and the moon taken on our 24-inch telescope this summer!
July 21, 2025 at 4:26 AM
"Maybe Mondays aren't so bad..."
-Nayda, MSU Student Observer
Pictured is the Eagle Nebula (M16) and the moon taken on our 24-inch telescope this summer!
-Nayda, MSU Student Observer
Pictured is the Eagle Nebula (M16) and the moon taken on our 24-inch telescope this summer!
Huge thanks to @redbull for fueling our all-nighters at the MSU Observatory! Staying up all night to study the stars just got a whole lot easier with a few cases of wings.
July 7, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Huge thanks to @redbull for fueling our all-nighters at the MSU Observatory! Staying up all night to study the stars just got a whole lot easier with a few cases of wings.
Join us on Saturday from 9:30-11:30pm for public night at the MSU Observatory!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
July 5, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Join us on Saturday from 9:30-11:30pm for public night at the MSU Observatory!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Join us on Saturday from 9:30-11:30pm for public night at the MSU Observatory!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
June 28, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Join us on Saturday from 9:30-11:30pm for public night at the MSU Observatory!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
These are various deep-sky objects we have been able to get pictures of at the MSU Observatory throughout the year! The 1st image is the Silver Sliver Galaxy. The 2nd image is the Ring Nebula. The 3rd is the Phantom Galaxy, 32 million light-years away and a spiral galaxy just like our own!
June 15, 2025 at 3:58 PM
These are various deep-sky objects we have been able to get pictures of at the MSU Observatory throughout the year! The 1st image is the Silver Sliver Galaxy. The 2nd image is the Ring Nebula. The 3rd is the Phantom Galaxy, 32 million light-years away and a spiral galaxy just like our own!
Unfortunately we are canceling public night tonight due to cloudy weather.
June 7, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Unfortunately we are canceling public night tonight due to cloudy weather.
Join us on Saturday from 9-11pm for public night at the MSU Observatory!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Image Credit: Jerry Dunn
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Image Credit: Jerry Dunn
May 30, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Join us on Saturday from 9-11pm for public night at the MSU Observatory!
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Image Credit: Jerry Dunn
Visit our website for FAQs: web.pa.msu.edu/astro/observ...
Address: MSU Observatory, 4299 Pavilion Dr, Lansing, MI 48910
Image Credit: Jerry Dunn
Congratulations to our class of 2025 MORP students!
April 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Congratulations to our class of 2025 MORP students!
Our first public night of 2025 is this Saturday, April 5th!
Weather permitting, Mars should be visible!
Weather permitting, Mars should be visible!
March 31, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Our first public night of 2025 is this Saturday, April 5th!
Weather permitting, Mars should be visible!
Weather permitting, Mars should be visible!
Save the Date! Here's our Public Night Schedule for 2025
#MSU #Michigan #Astronomy #Lansing #MichiganState #GoGreen
#MSU #Michigan #Astronomy #Lansing #MichiganState #GoGreen
February 10, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Save the Date! Here's our Public Night Schedule for 2025
#MSU #Michigan #Astronomy #Lansing #MichiganState #GoGreen
#MSU #Michigan #Astronomy #Lansing #MichiganState #GoGreen