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Open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Andromeda Galaxy
The Andromeda Galaxy

The Andromeda Galaxy as seen by NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). (Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA)

Explore the wonders of the night sky at SkyWatch!

Upcoming Dates:
July 12, July 26, Aug. 9, Aug. 23, Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 22, and Dec. 6
Buhl Planetarium and Observatory
9–11 p.m.

Embark on an exhilarating journey across the cosmos. Discover the breathtaking mysteries that twinkle just beyond our reach with one-on-one discussions with our astronomy experts. Fabulous for astronomers of all ages and skill levels! Tickets can be purchased online up until the start of the event. No walk-up tickets available.

Join us for an unforgettable night of stargazing

Guests sitting in Buhl Planetarium

Enjoy a custom Stars Over Pittsburgh 30-minute show highlighting the evening’s sky.

Guest looking at a plastic clear sphere with constellations

Engage in experiential learning with astronomy and space-based activities.

Children sitting in reclined seats smiling looking up at a screen

Extend your curiosity with Free Flow, curated time in the Planetarium exploring more of the universe.

credit ESA,NASA,JPL-Caltech

Sombrero Galaxy
Sombrero Galaxy

Explore our Fifth Floor and rooftop also known as Buhl Observatory weather-permitting (only open during SkyWatch and special events). Spot celestial marvels over Pittsburgh through professional telescopes like our Meade LX200ACF.

What does the night look like if it rains?

The event is rain or shine. The rooftop will close in the event of unsafe weather conditions at any point before or during the event.

Presented by:

PPG logo

SkyWatch Session – July 12

  • Catch a glimpse of the bright “heart of the scorpion”, Antares in the constellation of Scorpius.
  • Spot the “red planet” Mars.
  • Locate one of the brightest stars in our sky, Arcturus. It’s only 36.7 light years (215,745,557,363,816 miles) away from Earth!

SkyWatch Session – July 26

  • Stand beneath the α-Capricornid meteor shower, known for producing “fireballs”!
  • Spot the “Great Globular Cluster” in Hercules.
  • Catch a glimpse of the star forming region the “Lagoon Nebula”.

SkyWatch Session – August 9

  • Spot the “Summer Triangle” high overhead.
  • Stand beneath not one but two meteor showers! The spectacular Perseid meteor shower left behind by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle will peak with a rate of 150 meteor per hour!
  • Catch a glimpse of the star forming region the “Lagoon Nebula”.

SkyWatch Session – August 23

  • Spot the “Summer Triangle” high overhead.
  • Catch a glimpse of the binary star Albireo!
  • Welcome Saturn back into our evening sky!

SkyWatch Session – September 27

  • Spot Saturn and its spectacular rings!
  • Catch a glimpse of our nearest neighbor galaxy, the Andromeda galaxy!
  • Bid farewell to warm weather with a glimpse of the “Summer Triangle.”

SkyWatch Session – October 25

  • Stand beneath multiple meteor showers! The Orionids and Southern Taurid meteor showers.
  • Spot Saturn and its spectacular rings!
  • Catch a glimpse of our nearest neighbor galaxy, the Andromeda galaxy!

SkyWatch Session – November 22

  • Spot giant Jupiter and the ringed-planet, Saturn!
  • Stand beneath both the Northern and Southern Taurid meteor showers!
  • Catch a glimpse of our nearest neighbor galaxy, the Andromeda galaxy!

SkyWatch Session – December 6

  • Spot giant Jupiter and the ringed-planet, Saturn!
  • Stand beneath a barrage of meteor showers!
  • Catch a glimpse of our nearest neighbor galaxy, the Andromeda galaxy!