Riverside observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Riverside Observatory, known to its members as the Goat Mountain Astronomical Research Station (GMARS), is the dark-sky observing site of the Riverside Astronomical Society, set out in the high desert of Southern California.
About Riverside Observatory
GMARS is run by the Riverside Astronomical Society, a non-profit organisation dedicated to amateur astronomy. Moving observing operations out to the high desert gives members access to darker, steadier skies than are available closer to the city.
Location & getting there
The site is located in the North America region, in the United States, in a high-desert setting chosen for its distance from city lights.
Visiting Riverside Observatory
As a members' dark-sky facility, visiting arrangements are best confirmed directly with the Riverside Astronomical Society before travelling, since access is generally organised around club events.
See your named star from here
Dark desert skies like those at GMARS are ideal for tracking down the exact coordinates of a named star. Explore the naming packages or search the catalogue for a star already named.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.