Lake Afton Public Observatory

Southwest of Wichita, Kansas, on the north shore of Lake Afton, a public observatory has spent decades introducing local families to telescopic astronomy in the flat, wide-open skies of Sedgwick County.

About Lake Afton Public Observatory

Lake Afton Public Observatory (LAPO) is built around a 16-inch (410 mm) F/13 Ritchey-Chrétien telescope, with a 6-inch (150 mm) F/8 apochromatic refractor piggyback-mounted alongside it for wide-field views.

Telescopes & research

Beyond the main telescope, LAPO runs an exhibit room covering stargazing basics, the physics of light, and the history of astronomy, plus a dedicated observing area to the north of the building where local astronomers can set up their own equipment.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits in a rural stretch of Sedgwick County, on the north side of Lake Afton, southwest of Wichita, Kansas - far enough from the city to offer noticeably darker skies.

Visiting Lake Afton Public Observatory

LAPO offers public programs every weekend throughout the year, alongside private and school programs scheduled during the week. Check the observatory's website for the current programme calendar and any ticketing details before visiting.

See your named star from here

LAPO's Ritchey-Chrétien telescope is exactly the kind of instrument that can be aimed at the coordinates of a named star. Name a star as a gift, or browse the catalogue of stars already named by others.