Observatories are home to some of the biggest and most impressive telescopes in the world. As many amateur astronomers know, there are numerous ways to experience the night sky beyond looking through a telescope in your own backyard. Nebraska has impressive observatories that offer a wide variety of star parties, tours, and observatory programs that will expand your knowledge of astronomy and your love of the night sky, whether you are new to astronomy or have been in the hobby for years.
For your convenience, we have compiled an alphabetical list of observatories in Nebraska that offer programs for the public.
Disclaimer: This information was collected from the observatories’ websites in February 2026. Some information may be subject to change if the websites are updated. If interested in visiting one of the listed observatories, please contact the observatory for the latest information before you visit.
Behlen Observatory
The Behlen Observatory is owned and operated by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s department of Physics and Astronomy. It was built in 1972 with donations from Walter Behlen. The observatory is located in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Telescope
The Behlen Observatory is home to a 30” Cassegrain telescope made by Boller and Chiven.
Visiting
Several nights a year, the observatory is open to the public for observation sessions. These events include talks from UNL scientists and demonstrations from UNL’s Society of Physics Students. A calendar of the observatory events is located here.
Image Credit: The Behlen Observatory Site
Boswell Observatory
The Boswell Observatory was built in 1883 and named for Charles Boswell, a Connecticut philanthropist who donated $5,000 to fund its construction. Boswell is the oldest extant operating observatory west of the Missouri River and the oldest building on the Doane University campus. The university operates the observatory, which is located in Crete, Nebraska.
Telescope
The telescope living at the Boswell Observatory is an 8” equatorial telescope and a meridian transit.
Image Credit: VisitNebraska.com
Branched Oak Observatory
The Branched Oak Observatory is a "sky park" and education complex located about 25 minutes from Lincoln, Nebraska. Supported by science education professional and astronomy enthusiasts, the Branched Oak Observatory aims "to share the wonders of the night sky with Eastern Nebraska".
Visiting
The Branched Oak Observatory offers many Star Parties for the public. Most of these are themed and focus on a specific astronomy related topic. All of these star parties are free of charge and great for the whole family. The days of these star parties vary, so visitors should watch the website for updates. For those who would like to visit the observatory outside of the scheduled star parties, as long as they notify the observatory two days ahead of the visit, the area will be open for individual use at no charge.
Image Credit: VisitNebraska.com
Hyde Memorial Observatory
The Hyde Memorial Observatory is located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The observatory was built in 1977 and built entirely on donations, devoted exclusively to public viewing, and free of charge. It is maintained by The Prairie Astronomy Club.
Telescope
The observatory is home to the following telescopes: 14” Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope on a Mathis Instruments MI-500 fork mount, a 11” Celestron NexStar GPS-XLT Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, a 9.25” Celestron CPC telescope, and Hyde’s Solar scope which is a 3” rear-projection refracting solar telescope.
Visiting
The Hyde Memorial Observatory is open to the public most clear Saturday evenings. Visitors planning to visit are advised to check the observatory’s website or call them at (402) 441-7094 for last minute updates. The public programs can be found on their website.
Image Credit: VisitNebraska.com
Sachtleben Observatory
The Clyde Sachtleben Observatory is maintained by Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska.
Telescopes
The observatory is home to a 14-inch, 10-inch and two 8-inch reflecting telescopes.
Visiting
The observatory is open to the public, free of charge, for astronomy presentations and night sky viewings two Saturdays a month (weather permitting). The observatory opens thirty minutes before the program starts and closes ninety minutes after the end of the program. Visitors can find a schedule of the upcoming programs here.
Image Credit: Sachtleben Observatory of Hastings College Facebook Page
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