Concordia Nebraska’s Osten Observatory announces public viewing dates for 2025-2026

Concordia University, Nebraska’s Osten Observatory has reopened following an extended closure for facility maintenance and repairs. A number of public viewing dates have been scheduled, but dates are subject to change based on weather and viewing opportunities. 

• Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 8:30-10 p.m. 

• Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 8-9:30 p.m. 

• Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 7:30-9 p.m. 

• Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 8-9:30 p.m. 

• Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 9-10:30 p.m. 

• Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 9-10:30 p.m. 

There is no set program and visitors are urged to check the weather before they arrive. If the sky is cloudy, or it is very windy at the time the observatory is scheduled to open, the viewing may be canceled for the night. 

The observatory is located on the northeast corner of Concordia Nebraska’s campus on East Hillcrest Drive in Seward. Visitors should be prepared to walk across a short length of the field as the path to the observatory is not paved. There is also a step up to be able to reach the telescope. There is no charge for admission. 

The Osten Observatory is located on the campus of Concordia University, Nebraska, and was dedicated in 2002 after being gifted to the university by alumnus Reuben Osten. The observatory houses a 16-inch computer-controlled telescope with solar system and deep space cameras that provides opportunities to view celestial objects such as the moon, planets, star clusters and nebulae. Concordia Nebraska physics, physical science and astronomy students also frequently utilize the observatory.