“Knights Under the Stars” Public Event Schedule

 

• The Spring 2020 schedule of our public events is given below, but we’re all finished for the semester. There will be no public events during UCF’s summer, but we hope to resume a full schedule of KUTS events in the Fall 2020 semester.
• Note that times/dates listed here would be the only times that are we are open to the public.
• Note that all events are at Robinson Observatory itself unless otherwise noted.
• In the table below, green means we are open, red means closed due to weather, and purple means we haven’t decided yet.
• Florida’s fickle weather means that we cannot be sure an event will occur until just before the scheduled time it starts! We’re sorry if that makes things logistically harder but we try to avoid situations where people needlessly come to the observatory.
• Our next event is scheduled for sometime in the Fall 2020 semester, date TBD. On the afternoon of the event, check out the news here or on Facebook or Twitter to see if the weather will actually let us have the event.
• If you have any questions about KUTS, send email to planets@ucf.edu. However please do not telephone the Physics Department for info about KUTS! The only way to get info about KUTS is to send email to planets@ucf.edu.
• Scroll down to the bottom of this page to learn more about what happens at our KUTS events.
• Directions to the observatory are available on our directions page.
• We strongly recommend that visitors review our safety guidelines before coming to the observatory.
• Wondering why we don’t set up events to watch meteor showers? Check our FAQ.
• Interested in making a donation to the observatory? It’s easy.

 

No.	Date	Event Time	Location	Sunset	End of Civil Twilight
1	Wed Jan 29	7:00 – 8:30 pm EST	Robinson Obs.	6:03 pm EST	6:26 pm EST
2	Tue Feb 4	7:00 – 8:30 pm EST	Robinson Obs.	6:08 pm EST	6:30 pm EST
3	Tue Mar 3	7:30 – 9:00 pm EST	Robinson Obs.	6:28 pm EST	6:50 pm EST
4	Wed Apr 1	8:30 – 10:00 pm EDT	Robinson Obs.	7:44 pm EDT	8:06 pm EDT
5	Tue Apr 7	8:30 – 10:00 pm EDT	Robinson Obs.	7:48 pm EDT	8:10 pm EDT

 

What happens at a “Knights Under The Stars” event?

• All events are at Robinson Observatory itself unless otherwise noted.
• At a typical event, we set up a variety of portable telescopes — usually Meade LX90s with 8-inch primary mirrors — and point them at various interesting objects in the sky. Each telescope is staffed by a knowledgeable volunteer who can explain to you what you’re seeing, and answer any other questions you have. All you have to do is show up and gaze in amazement through the telescopes at the wonders of the night sky!
  
• The events are free and are open to UCF and non-UCF people alike. However, minors must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or chaperone!
• Parking at the observatory itself for the purpose of visiting the observatory is free — but space is limited, so please carpool if you can. You can of course park elsewhere on campus and walk to us, but you’ll need to have a parking permit already or to have purchased a daily parking permit from a permit dispensing machine.
• Parking for any of our events that happen somewhere else aside from the observatory (e.g., on Memory Mall, by Millican Hall, etc.) is not free, and you should be sure that you have a parking permit.
• All ages are welcome. However, minors must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or chaperone!
• No reservations/registrations are required (though if you’re bringing a big group, let us know). There is no need to come for the entire time; just show up whenever you like. There is no set program; the events are very informal and casual. Just please follow our Facebook and/or Twitter accounts to be sure that the weather will let us be open; it’d be sad if you came for a visit when we had to cancel!
• Again, we strongly recommend that visitors review our safety guidelines before coming to the observatory.
• If you have any questions about KUTS, send email to planets@ucf.edu.