Bakersfield observatory

Bakersfield observatory belongs to California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), in Kern County, California, and forms part of a small but active local astronomy scene alongside a nearby planetarium and astronomy society.

About Bakersfield observatory

The CSUB Observatory is used primarily by the university's astronomy classes. It is not computerised, but it offers views of stars, planets, nebulae, and the Moon. Nearby, the William M Thomas Planetarium at Bakersfield College serves around 4,500 K–12 students a year with fulldome shows, and the Kern County Astronomical Society (KCAS) runs public telescope viewing at schools, scout groups, and community events.

History

The CSUB Observatory was built in 1985. The William M Thomas Planetarium opened in fall 1962 and was substantially upgraded and renamed in November 2006 with $1 million in federal funding secured by then-Representative Bill Thomas.

Location & getting there

Bakersfield sits in Kern County, in California's southern Central Valley. Use the map and directions on this page to plan your route to campus.

Visiting Bakersfield observatory

Public access is generally tied to university astronomy classes and community events run by the Kern County Astronomical Society, which meets on the first Friday of each month. Check CSUB and KCAS listings for upcoming public viewing nights before travelling.

See your named star from here

Kern County's astronomy community, from campus telescopes to the local planetarium, makes it a fitting place to look for a star named just for someone. Name a star and check the catalogue for its exact coordinates.