St. Louis Astronomical Society

Francis Park Stargazing

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Event

Enjoy Wednesday night stargazing sessions at Francis Park!
All are welcome to join us! Stop by and look at the Moon or bring your observing gear. This event is scheduled near the First Quarter Moon each month. We provide views of craters, mountains, and shadows on the Lunar surface. Members of the St. Louis Astronomical Society also share telescope views of planets when they are visible. You may even be able to observe a distant double star!

LOCATION
We set up in Francis Park in south St. Louis city, at Tamm Ave. & Itaska St.
Events will be canceled for unfavorable weather or sky conditions.
Visit www.slasonline.org, and click Event Calendar for up-to-date information.


 

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Time: 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Central

Information for Visitors

Event Report

Comments and anecdotes about the event:
Spectacular season opener for Francis Park Stargazing! We had about 6 volunteers with telescopes, and about 150 adults and kids visit our event. Clear skies and 72 degrees with a very light wind gave us the best possible weather and sky. Tonight we observed the 5-day old waxing crescent Moon, Jupiter, Venus, Uranus, and the Orion Nebula (M42). In late April, Orion is setting in the west, which is also our primary observing direction from the park (south-west-north is best for us from here). Jupiter also gave us an Io occultation at 9:36pm. Families came back to our telescopes multiple times, and enjoyed going from scope to scope.