Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory

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Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory Perched high above Nashville, Dyer Observatory brings Middle Tennessee together through hands-on learning, public programs and cultural events.

From classrooms to community celebrations, we are a space where science, creativity and culture intersect.

Dyer's very own Dr. Billy and Jessica Ingram joined City Cast Nashville to discuss stargazing in Nashville, what Dyer ha...
10/08/2026

Dyer's very own Dr. Billy and Jessica Ingram joined City Cast Nashville to discuss stargazing in Nashville, what Dyer has been up to and what to expect when we welcome everyone back! 🤩

Give it a listen:

A clear October night + our free Sky Map = a pretty good reason to head outside. ✨Use this month’s map to find your way ...
10/08/2026

A clear October night + our free Sky Map = a pretty good reason to head outside. ✨

Use this month’s map to find your way around the stars and constellations overhead.

Download yours: https://ow.ly/KWmH50ZUYgL

We’re baaaaaack. 👋And we brought a pretty great fall calendar with us.After months of renovations, we’re welcoming guest...
10/07/2026

We’re baaaaaack. 👋

And we brought a pretty great fall calendar with us.

After months of renovations, we’re welcoming guests back to Dyer Observatory for events this fall.

See what’s upcoming: https://ow.ly/Peg750ZUXCi

Our October Astro Calendar is here! 🗓️This free monthly resource highlights upcoming astronomical events, moon phases an...
10/06/2026

Our October Astro Calendar is here! 🗓️

This free monthly resource highlights upcoming astronomical events, moon phases and notable dates in astronomy and space history.

Save a copy and follow along throughout the month: https://ow.ly/MhWs50ZUXqo

10/05/2026

You may want to set an early alarm for this one. 🌙🔭

Early tomorrow morning, the Moon will pass directly in front of Jupiter in an event called an occultation, temporarily hiding the planet and its four largest moons from view.

Here’s what to watch for in Nashville:

🌙 Around 3:16 a.m., Jupiter will begin disappearing behind the Moon. By about 3:19 a.m., Jupiter and all four of its Galilean moons will be hidden.

✨ At 4:16 a.m., Jupiter begins to reappear from behind the Moon’s dark edge. This may be the coolest part: Jupiter will seem to slowly materialize out of the darkness.

🔭 A telescope will give you the best view, but steady binoculars can also reveal Jupiter and its four largest moons.

🌎 You may even notice a faint glow on the Moon’s dark side caused by Earthshine — sunlight reflected from Earth onto the Moon. How cool is that!

Times are for Nashville and will vary by location.

Who’s setting an alarm?

With the weather forecast looking decidedly un-starry, we are canceling tomorrow's Star Party. ☔️We are so bummed to mis...
10/02/2026

With the weather forecast looking decidedly un-starry, we are canceling tomorrow's Star Party. ☔️

We are so bummed to miss a night under the stars with you, but we'll catch you under clearer skies soon!

BSAS - Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society of Nashville

Somehow, we’ve made it to the last Bluebird on the Mountain concert of the year!We’re sending off the 2026 season on Oct...
10/01/2026

Somehow, we’ve made it to the last Bluebird on the Mountain concert of the year!

We’re sending off the 2026 season on October 17 with Mae Estes, Austin Jenckes and Jason Nix.

And remember, your ticket includes more than the music:

🎟️ Admission for one vehicle with up to 8 guests
🌳 Early access to Dyer’s scenic grounds for picnicking, relaxing and yard games
🔭 Stargazing and telescope viewing to close out the evening

So gather your favorite people, pack the picnic and join us for one last Bluebird evening at Dyer this year.

Tickets are available now: https://ow.ly/vpgy50ZTEuR

The Bluebird Cafe

09/29/2026

Well, this was pretty incredible to catch from Dyer. 🤩🔭

Just one day after launch, we captured the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope making its way through the sky as it began a nearly one-million-mile journey to the Sun-Earth L2 region — about four times farther away than the Moon.

Roman will spend roughly 100 days making the trip while engineers test and prepare for the science ahead. Once there, it will operate in the same region of space as the James Webb Space Telescope, surveying vast areas of the universe to help scientists better understand dark energy, dark matter and planets beyond our solar system.

And Roman is already getting to work: since we captured this footage, its Wide Field Instrument has detected its first cosmic light.

Not every day you get to watch a space telescope head to work! ✨

Hello, fall! At least, according to the calendar...Today marks the autumnal equinox and the official start of a new sea...
09/22/2026

Hello, fall! At least, according to the calendar...

Today marks the autumnal equinox and the official start of a new season. Nashville may not have gotten the memo just yet, but cooler days are coming. We hope. 🤞

Curious about the science behind the equinox? Keep an eye out for our next newsletter, where we’ll dig into what’s actually happening in the sky as the seasons change.

If your not subscribed yet, nows your chance: https://ow.ly/WeWR50ZQaTc

Until then, we’ll be over here manifesting sweater weather. 🔭🍁

Telescope Night is back at Dyer! 🔭✨On Oct. 15, we’ll welcome the community back for our first Telescope Night this year....
09/17/2026

Telescope Night is back at Dyer! 🔭✨

On Oct. 15, we’ll welcome the community back for our first Telescope Night this year.

Spend the evening exploring Dyer, connecting with astronomers and taking in views through telescopes across the grounds. We’re also excited to be part of this year’s Tennessee STEAM Festival as a featured event!

🎟️ Tickets go on sale Oct. 1 at noon.

A little heads-up: Telescope Nights tend to fill quickly. If you don’t snag a spot this time, don’t worry! More Telescope Nights are planned for later this fall and next spring.

We’ve missed these nights, and we can’t wait to have you back.

🔔 Learn more and set a reminder: https://ow.ly/663n50ZO1HF

Address

1000 Oman Drive
Brentwood, TN
37027

Telephone

+16153734897

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