Public invited for Star Party at the Loftis Observatory

Kerrville, TX – Returning for the Fall 2021 semester, Schreiner University will host star parties at the Loftis Family Science Center and observatory. The events are free to attend and open to the public. Dates for the Fall 2021 star parties are: Friday, Sep 3, 8:30 p.m., Friday, Oct 8, 8:00 p.m. and Friday, Nov 5, 7:30 p.m. The event(s) will be canceled if inclement weather is present.

Participants will be able to view celestial objects in the Hill Country sky in the domed observatory containing Schreiner’s 16-inch telescope. See planets, nebulae, stars, star clusters, and galaxies through the telescopes at Loftis Observatory. Several eight-inch telescopes will also be available for public viewing.

Free parking is available adjacent to the center. The entrance gate is along East Main Street across from the Schreiner University baseball and softball fields and is marked by a flagpole. The star party will generally go till about midnight, and participants may come and go at any time.

The Loftis Family Science Center was made possible by a gift from the late Dennis Loftis, an amateur—but accomplished—astronomer. In addition to the observatory and telescope, the 3,500-square-foot facility includes a field biology lab and classroom.

For more information on the star party or the Loftis Family Science Center, contact Dr. Kim Arvidsson at KDArvidsson@schreiner.edu or phone 830-792-7249.