Explore the Starry Nebraska Sky

With miles of country skies that are clear of light pollution, Nebraska has some perfect spots to gaze into the starry night sky. From star parties to observatories, the state has some of the best places to marvel at the Milky Way and other faraway galaxies. Join the Nebraska Star Party at Merritt Reservoir, 27 miles south of Valentine every August. Novice stargazers and experts alike will stare in awe at the constellations visible. Because the party is located in the remote Sandhills, the sky is light pollution-free, so you can marvel at many of the constellations with the naked eye.  While you don’t need your telescope to view the stars, you can bring one and learn how to explore the sky with experts from the Prairie Astronomy Club and the Omaha Astronomy Club. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park offers stargazing events, too. Bring your own telescope or use one of the expert’s to gaze into the night. Star parties are held across the road from the ice skating rink right after sunset. Check the park’s calendar to learn when the next party is happening. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Physics & Astronomy operates the Behlen Observatory in Mead, which is 38 miles northeast of Lincoln. A 30-inch Cassegrain Reflector telescope, which is primarily used for variable star research, is available for public viewing at this facility. For your chance to view the stars with a high-tech telescope, visit the Behlen Observatory web site for more information on public events.  The Seven Hills Observatory in O'Neill is another great place to look into the night sky. In Lincoln, the Hyde Memorial Observatory has three telescopes that offer close-up views of constellations, and it’s open Saturday evenings year-round. Prior to your visits to any observatories or star parties, make sure you check the weather.  Weather conditions, such as clouds or wind, can hinder stargazing and may cause some events to be canceled. As you can see, with clear country skies and plenty of observatories and astronomy events, Nebraska offers some of the best stargazing. Find additional information on starry nights in Nebraska at VisitNebraska.com.