University of Central Arkansas Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
At the Lewis Science Center on the University of Central Arkansas campus in Conway, a rooftop observatory gives students, researchers, and the public a regular chance to look through a serious telescope.
About University of Central Arkansas Observatory
The observatory is housed at the Lewis Science Center on the UCA campus and is used both for faculty and student research and for public observing nights. Its primary instrument is a Meade 14-inch LX200R GPS telescope.
Telescopes & research
The 14-inch Meade telescope supports coursework and research for UCA's physics faculty and students, alongside its role in public outreach events.
Location & getting there
The observatory is located at the Lewis Science Center in Conway, Arkansas. It shares the campus with the Edmond E. Griffin Planetarium, another UCA astronomy facility worth combining into the same visit.
Visiting University of Central Arkansas Observatory
Public observing nights are held on the third Wednesday of each month, weather permitting, starting a couple of hours after dark. Check the observatory's website ahead of time in case of changes due to cloud cover.
See your named star from here
A campus observatory that already welcomes the public each month is a natural spot to look for a star with your own name attached to it. Any named star can be found here once its coordinates are known. See our star-naming packages or the star catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.