The observatory is located at the Fox Island County Park at 7324 Yohne Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46809, which is just Southeast of I-69 and US-24.
Free Public Observing April – November
The Fort Wayne Astronomical Society invites everyone to come to Fox Island County Park to use our observatory and telescope.
Public stargazing is offered every clear Saturday night from April to November starting one hour after sunset and continuing for two hours. To determine when the sun will set and whether it will be clear, check out the clear sky clock.
The observatory is located at the Fox Island County Park at 7324 Yohne Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46809, which is just Southeast of I-69 and US-24.
Families with children are welcome to use the observatory. There are bathrooms, but they are rather primitive, so using facilities at home is recommended.
On these clear Saturday viewing nights, Astronomy members are available to answer your questions. You may also bring your own telescope to the site and receive help to use it more effectively.
Fox Island is also the home to our monthly meetings where the Society offers a variety of educational events including films and lectures. Everyone is welcome to attend.
For more information about the purpose of the society and the equipment available, click here.
Group Programs
The Fort Wayne Astronomical Society is dedicated to public education in Astronomy. Club members volunteer their time, talents, and equipment in community service to share the heavens with school children, scout groups, church groups, and the general public at prearranged observing sessions and lectures. In order to help us continue this service to the community and make the learning experience more enjoyable for everyone, we use the following guidelines regarding the scheduling of these programs.
Fox Island programs: The Society can give approximately 1-1⁄2 hour observing sessions or lectures at our Fox Island Observatory for groups of 10 or more, given 2 weeks notice. Groups of less than 10 may simply come out to Fox Island for observing on any clear Saturday night, April through November, without notice.
Traveling programs: The Society can also provide a 1 hour observing session or lecture within a radius of 30 miles from Fort Wayne, given 4 weeks notice. We reserve Saturday nights for activities at our Fox Island Observatory.
Fees: For an observing session there is a $1 charge per person 8 years and older. Children 7 and under are free. Indoor lectures are free, although donations are welcome. Any fees or contributions are strictly used to maintain our telescope and observatory since club members donate their services.
Age: The minimum age we recommend for the group itself is 8, or students in the 3rd grade, although younger siblings, friends, and family members may accompany them.
Conduct: Due to the somewhat fragile nature of the telescopes we ask that children not be allowed to run around them, throw stones, or handle the equipment unless instructed. To ensure adequate supervision we request no fewer than 1 adult for every 6 children that attend.
Scheduling is made on a first-come-first-served basis. To schedule a program for your group you may contact the Observatory Director, Chris Highlen at 744-4623 or HighlenC@aol.com.