Activities

Last Updated: March 7, 2023

Public Star Parties

LAAS members host a monthly (typically the Saturday closest to the first quarter moon) public star party at the Griffith Observatory. The star party starts around 3PM with solar viewing and ends around 9:30PM (10:30PM in summer months). This is an opportunity for LAAS members to bring their telescopes to share views of the night sky with the public.

NOTE: Griffith Observatory has scheduled public star parties for 2023. You can view these events on our calendar. Please check the observatory’s official website for traffic and parking information provided for the public, before visiting the observatory for all public events.

Dark Sky Site

Once a month on the Saturday closest to the new moon, the Steven Kufeld Astronomical Site in the Lockwood Valley is open to current LAAS members and their guests. In the summer months, the LAAS also hosts Family Nights on the Saturdays closest to the third quarter moon.

Public Outreach Programs

The LAAS provides an informative Outreach program for schools and community events throughout Los Angeles county.

Please complete the following request form to schedule an outreach event for your school or group. Request Form

We do not provide telescopes for private events such as birthday parties, weddings, dinner parties, or corporate events promoting products outside of the science industry.

Garvey Ranch Nights - Wednesday Nights Only

On Wednesday nights only, the LAAS opens up the Garvey Ranch Observatory in Monterey Park to the public and to members. The observatory is open from 7 PM to 10 PM.

We have an 8 inch refractor in the dome and depending on the weather, telescopes may be set up on the lawn by members for impromptu star parties. The public and members are welcome to bring their telescopes to the observatory to participate in a star party or to receive assistance with new telescope equipment and observing techniques.