Open House

Face-to-face events at the Tombaugh Campus Observatory

Our Open House events are held at the  Tombaugh Observatory  on the NMSU main campus (click  here  to see its location). They occur roughly once per month, often near the time of the first-quarter Moon from September through May, and occasionally during the summer. Each evening program includes a short presentation, followed by guided observing through telescopes. 

If the weather looks cloudy or stormy on the afternoon of an Open House Event, please check here to confirm that the observatory will be open that evening. We cannot operate the telescopes under conditions of heavy clouds, high humidity, high winds, dusty conditions, or rain.

2025 - 2026 NMSU Astronomy Open House nights

Event Date and Time
Tombaugh Campus Observatory Public In-Person - Space Festival Earlier in the day! September 26th, 2025 @ 8:00 PM 
Tombaugh Campus Observatory Public In-Person Open House  October 31st, 2025 @ 8:00 PM
Tombaugh Campus Observatory Public In-Person Open House  November 21st, 2025 @ 7:00 PM
Tombaugh Campus Observatory Public In-Person Open House   December 5th, 2025 @ 7:00pm PM   
Tombaugh Campus Observatory Public In-Person Open House  January 23rd, 2026 @ 7:00 PM 
Tombaugh Campus Observatory Public In-Person Open House  February 21st, 2026 @ 7:00 PM
Tombaugh Campus Observatory Public In-Person Open House  March 13th, 2026 @ 9:00pm
Tombaugh Campus Observatory Public In-Person Open House 

April 24th, 2026 @ 9:00 PM
Tombaugh Campus Observatory Public In-Person Open House  May 8th, 2026 @ 9:00 PM

Virtual events from the Tortugas Mt. Observatory

Virtual events from TMO will happen occasionally in additon to the in-person public nights - when they occur we will post here with the zoom registration link and instructions!