Prairie Grass Observatory

05/15/2026

The skies are beginning to clear at PGO. Clear Sky Clock is showing good viewing from sunset until 11pm. We are a go for tonight's open house!!

05/15/2026

05/14/2026

The forecast is looking favorable for tomorrow night's open house. If the forecast holds, plan on joining us at 8:45 pm on May 15th to do some Stargazing.

04/18/2026

Due to new information related to today's cloud forecast, this evening's public open house at PGO is canceled. If only we could control the weather!!!

04/18/2026

According to models we are seeing, we will NOT be having a good evening tonight for the stars at Prairie Grass Observatory until after midnight (past our bedtimes)…so we will have to call off our first attempt at an Open House this year. :>( No Open House tonight at Prairie Grass Observatory.

03/13/2026

Eagle Scout Candidate Ethan Meredith Builds Light-Blocking Security Gate for Camp Cullom and Prairie Grass Observatory.

03/06/2026

Prairie Grass Observatory 2026 Open House Schedule

02/26/2026

🌑🔴 Total Lunar Eclipse — March 3, 2026

A breathtaking Total Lunar Eclipse will grace the night sky on March 3, 2026, turning the Moon a deep copper-red during totality — the famous Blood Moon.

As Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, our planet’s shadow will slowly cover the lunar surface. When the Moon is fully immersed in Earth’s umbra, it will glow in shades of red and orange due to sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere.

⏰ Totality lasts: About 58 minutes
🌘 Entire eclipse duration: Over 5 hours
👀 Safe to watch with the naked eye — no special equipment needed

🌓 Eclipse Timeline (EST):
• 4:35 AM – Deep Penumbral phase begins
• 5:26 AM – 50% Partial eclipse
• 6:04 AM – Totality begins
• 6:34 AM – Greatest Eclipse 🌕🔴
• 7:03 AM – Totality ends
• 7:41 AM – 50% Partial
• 8:33 AM – Deep Penumbral phase ends

This will be one of the most beautiful sky events of 2026 and the last total lunar eclipse visible worldwide until 2029.

Set your alarm, step outside, and witness the magic of the Blood Moon! 🌌✨

09/20/2025

Well, looks like Mother Nature will not be cooperating with tonight's PGO open house. Looking at several forecasts cloudy conditions will persist for the rest of the day/night. So, we will be canceling tonight's event. Our next event will be October 25th at 7pm.

07/14/2025

INDIANA FAMILY STAR PARTY

Dozens of amateur astronomers, astronomy enthusiasts, and families will gather at Camp Cullom for immersion in the hobby and camaraderie of astronomy at the 22nd annual Indiana Family Star Party (IFSP). Camp Cullom is located near Mulberry, IN, and is the home of the Prairie Grass Observatory. Star party features include: celestial observing every night (weather permitting), the Sky Trekker program for kids and adults on Friday evening, authoritative speakers on Saturday afternoon, an ice cream social Friday evening, a prairie grass nature walk Saturday evening, an on-site food vendor (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast), late evening movies with free popcorn, free coffee, free hot chocolate, and more.

Dates for Full Event participants: July 22-27, 2025.
Full Event participation includes a campsite on the Camp Cullom observing field. There are no formal activities planned on July 22-23; these optional days/nights are available for observing and camping only for full-event registrants.

Dates for Single Day participants: July 25-26, 2025
Hours for Single Day participants: Gate opens at 4:00 p.m. Friday 7/25 and 10:00 a.m. Saturday 7/26

Registration:
Pre-registration forms are available at the web site indicated below, as well as online registration. At-Gate registration can also be done.

Prices:
Full Event: Individual: $50; Family: $60
Single Day Participants: $5.00 for one person; $10.00 for two people; $15.00 for carload

Vendors:
Potential vendors should indicate their desire to participate by sending e-mail to [email protected]

More detailed information can be found at:
http://www.indianastars.com/starparty/

Have more questions about IFSP? Send e-mail to [email protected]

The Indiana Family Star Party is a family friendly event that has been held for over 20 years.

04/26/2025

Tonight's open house at PGO is canceled due to clouds. Our next public open house will be May 31st weather permitting.