STARGAZING OPPORTUNITIES AROUND KIRKSVILLE: 2026
TSO = Truman State Observatory @ the Truman Farm
ACPL = Adair County Public Library
1000-Hills PS = Point Shelter @ 1000-hills State Park
Campus = Sidewalk between Magruder Hall and SUB
| Date | Time | Location | Targets (click for star-chart) |
| 2nd March (Mon) | 6:30PM – 8:30PM | TSO | Orion, Jupiter, Moon, open clusters |
| 3rd March (Tue) | 3.45AM – 6:41AM | — | TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE |
| 20th March (Fri) | 8:00PM – 10:00PM | 1000-Hills PS | Orion, Jupiter, M51, the Leo cluster |
| 30th March (Wed) | 8:00PM – 10:00PM | TSO | Venus, Moon, Jupiter, Orion |
| 8th April (Wed) | 8:30PM – 10:30PM | TSO | Jupiter, Leo cluster, M3, M51 |
| 17th April (Fri) | 8:30PM – 10:30PM | 1000-Hills PS | Jupiter, Leo cluster, M3, M51 |
| 18th April (Sat) | 7:00PM – 10:00PM | TSU Campus | Planetarium & Night walk |
| 20th April (Mon) | 8:30PM – 10:30PM | TSO | Jupiter, Leo cluster, M3, M51 |
| 1st May (Fri) | 8:30PM – 10:30PM | 1000-Hills PS | Jupiter, Leo cluster, M3, M51 |
| 5th May (Tue) | 9:00PM – 11:00PM | TSO | Leo & Virgo cluster, M3, M51 |
| 22nd May (Fri) | 9:00PM – 11:00PM | 1000-Hills PS | Moon, Leo & Virgo cluster, M51 |
| 3rd July (Fri) | 9:00PM – 11:00PM | 1000-Hills PS | Venus, Milky Way, Globular Clusters |
| 12th Aug (Wed) | 9:00PM – 11:00PM | TSU Campus | Venus, Milky Way, M57, M27, M13 |
| 18th Aug (Tue) | 9:00PM – 11:00PM | TSO | Moon, Milky Way, M57, M27, M13 |
| 21st Aug (Fri) | 8:30PM – 10:30PM | 1000-Hills PS | Moon, M57, M27, M13 |
| 27th Aug (Mon) | 8:30PM – Midnight | TSO | Partial LUNAR ECLIPSE |
| 11th Sept (Fri) | 8:00PM – 10:00PM | 1000-Hills PS | Milky Way, M57, M27, M13, M15, M2 |
| 25th Sept (Fri) | 7:30PM – 9:30PM | TSO | Moon, M57, M27, M13, M15, M2 |
| 16th Oct (Fri) | 7:00PM – 9:00PM | TSO | Milky Way, M57, M27, M13, M15, M2 |
| 23rd Oct (Fri) | 7:00PM – 9:00PM | 1000-Hills PS | Moon, M57, M27, M13, M15, M2 |
| 29th Oct (Th) | 7:00PM – 9:00PM | TSO | Saturn, M57, M27, M13, M15, M2 |
| 9th Nov (Mon) | 6:00PM – 8:00PM | TSO | Saturn, M31, M57, M27, M15, M2 |
| 13th Nov (Fri) | 5:30PM – 7:30PM | 1000-Hills PS | Saturn, M31, M57, M27, M15, M2 |
Clear Sky Chart for the Truman State Observatory
What to Bring
Just bring yourself, your family, and your friends. It will be colder than you expect, so wear warm clothes!
Directions MAP
The Truman State University Observatory is located at the University Farm on Boundary Street.
From the Campus Area: Follow Franklin St. south from campus, then turn right onto La Harpe St. Continue on La Harpe about 1/2 mile, cross Boundary St., and continue straight into the University Farm complex.
From the North: Head south on Osteopathy, then turn right on Michigan St. Take a left turn from Michigan St. on the fourth street; this is Boundary. Follow Boundary St. south about 1/4 mile, then turn right into the University Farm Complex.
From the South: Get on Route H North; at the Kirksville city limits this becomes Boundary St. The University Farm complex is on the left side of the road.
Parking
Parking is available at the University Farm complex. Please park in the large parking area among the barns and buildings, and walk up the short lane to the Observatory building. Follow the red lights!
Contact:
Vayujeet Gokhale
MG3164 Truman State University
Phone: 660-785-4594
email: gokhale@truman.edu
Current Sky Brightness Measurements