STARGAZING OPPORTUNITIES AROUND KIRKSVILLE: 2024
TSO = Truman State Observatory @ the Truman Farm
ACPL = Adair County Public Library
1000-Hills = Point Shelter or Beach Parking lot @ 1000-hills State Park
Campus = Sidewalk between Magruder Hall and SUB
Date | Time | Location | Targets (click for star-chart) |
3rd March (M) | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | TSO | Orion, Jupiter, Mars, Moon |
13th-14th March (Th/F) | Midnight – 4:00 AM | TSO | LUNAR ECLIPSE |
24th March (M) | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | TSO | Jupiter, Orion, M81, M 66, M51, M101 |
28th March (F) | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | 1000-Hills Point Shelter | Orion, Jupiter, M81, M66, M51, M101 |
7th April (M) | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | TSO | Moon, Jupiter, Mars, Orion |
21st April (M) | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM | TSO | M3, M81, M66, M51, M101, M87 |
25th April (F) | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM | 1000-Hills Point Shelter | M3, M81, M66, M51, M101, M87 |
2nd May (F) | 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM | TSO | Crescent Moon, M3, M81, M51,Galaxies in Leo, Virgo |
28th May (W) | 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM | 1000-hills | Galaxies in Leo, Virgo; M3, M5, M13 |
31st May (Sat) | 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM | TSO-campus | Moon, M13, M51 |
5th July (Sat) | 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM | 1000-hills | M13, M81, M51,Galaxies in Leo, Virgo |
13th Aug (W) | 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM | TSO-campus | M51, M27, M57, M13 |
22nd Aug (F) | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM | 1000-hills | |
25th Aug (M) | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM | TSO | |
8th Sept (M) | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | TSO | |
22nd Sept (M) | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | TSO | |
26th Sept (F) | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 1000-Hills | |
6th Oct (M) | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | TSO | |
20th Oct (M) | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | TSO | |
24th Oct (F) | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 1000-Hills | |
3rd Nov (M) | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | TSO | |
7th Nov (F) | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | 1000-Hills | |
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