Autumn Sky Series
This fall, we’re excited to offer a full program of FREE astronomy nights at Long View Ciderhouse!
Join us after sunset for guided stargazing from the amazing hilltop at Long View and take in the majesty that is our solar system (and beyond!).
Astronomy nights are designed to be relaxed, approachable, and family-friendly. Come for a drink and the sunset, then stay as the sky darkens and discover what’s visible above the orchard. Our fingers are always crossed for clear night skies but weather and cloud coverage can change that. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for the latest weather and visibility updates as we approach the dates below.
Finally, these are just a small portion of the dates we will be at Long View this autumn! Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to learn about the many pop-up astronomy events we hold at the prettiest spot in Southington through the spring, summer, and fall.
PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE
Thursday, August 27, 2026
9:00 PM to 11:59 PM
Penumbral eclipse begins 9:23 PM;
Partial eclipse begins 10:33 PM;
Maximum 12:12 AM.
About 93% of the Moon's diameter enters Earth's dark umbral shadow.
DARK SKY ASTRONOMY NIGHT
Friday, September 11, 2026
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Essentially moonless evening; Milky Way and Saturn viewing.
INTERNATIONAL
OBSERVE THE MOON NIGHT
Saturday, September 19, 2026
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Official NASA worldwide observing night. We will be on hand to guide the viewing, answer questions, and help guests explore the night sky through telescopes and binoculars while learning more about the objects and events visible overhead.
HARVEST MOON
Friday, September 25, 2026
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Come out at sunset and see the nearly full Harvest Moon rising in the east; beautiful naked-eye event. We will be on hand to guide the viewing, answer questions, and help guests explore the night sky through telescopes and binoculars while learning more about the objects and events visible overhead. If you’ve got a good camera, this is a chance for a great shot rising over the trees!
ASTRONOMY SOCIAL NIGHT
Thursday, October 8, 2026
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
A casual night for anyone curious about astronomy. Come have a drink, look through the telescopes and binoculars, ask questions, meet other people interested in the night sky, and see what’s overhead.
SATURN NIGHT - OPEN UNTIL MIDNIGHT
Friday, October 23, 2026
7:00 PM to 11:59 PM
Long View is staying open until midnight for one of our favorite planets. With its unmistakable rings, Saturn is one of those objects that really does look extraordinary through a telescope. We will guide the viewing and talk about Saturn, its rings, its moons and its place in our solar system.
TAURID METEOR NIGHT #1
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Keep an eye out for the Taurids, a meteor shower known for relatively slow-moving meteors and the occasional bright fireball. Between meteors, we will guide telescope and binocular viewing and explore the rest of the autumn night sky.
TAURID METEOR NIGHT #2
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Another chance to catch the Taurid meteor shower as it continues through November. Watch for meteors overhead while we get a closer look at what else is visible in the night sky (psssst, maybe Orion as the night winds down).
