Welcome to the Patterson Observatory Page
Celebrating twenty years of sharing the wonders of the cosmos with our community.
Scroll down to register for Public Night
The James Webb Space Telescope, which launched on Christmas Day 2021, achieved its final operational configuration on January 8, 2022, when the observatory was still about two weeks travel time from its halo station orbit at the L2 Lagrange point about a million miles from Earth. Webb began its multi-year science mission after about six months of calibration and alignment in July of 2022. Webb is designed to see back in time to the birth of the first stars and galaxies, study the formation and evolution of galaxies, understand the formation of stars and planetary systems, and study planetary systems and the origins of life.
See the video section below to take a virtual tour of the Patterson Observatory. The interactive website lets you roam the building at your leisure. Many interesting displays are highlighted and detailed in this amazing high resolution photogrammetric capture of the facility. If you can’t make it in person, this is the next best thing!
The University South Foundation, Inc. owns and maintains the Patterson Observatory located on University of Arizona Sierra Vista Campus. The Huachuca Astronomy Club (HAC) volunteers operates the observatory and hosts Public Viewing Nights.
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These "Public Nights" are free and family friendly and start about a half hour after sunset. They are weather dependent (canceled during inclement weather) and are not scheduled during the monsoon months of July and August. Space is limited and guests must register. See the form below. The observatory is also available, by appointment, to serve youth, school and community organizations.
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The Patterson Observatory is a NASA Space Place and a member of the NASA Night Sky Network. It has a 16 foot dome, housing a Ritchey-Chretien telescope of 20” aperture. This telescope, with its sophisticated detectors, is capable of observing objects one million times fainter that the human eye can detect.
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The University South Foundation Patterson Observatory opened the 11th of September 2004, and serves the greater Sierra Vista area with public viewings and group reservations.
The Patterson Observatory is a member of the Arizona Astronomy Consortium https://azastronomy.org/
Both the April and May Public Nights are FULL!
Registration is now open for the June 5, 2025 Public Night. Register below.
Admission is free, but space is limited. Guests wishing to attend this in-person event must register.
For Parties larger than 10 people please contact us before registering. Email info@hacastronomy.org
This event is weather dependent and if the sky is even partly cloudy visitors should check the recording at (520) 626-6649 for a cancellation notice.
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Send an email to: info@hacastronomy.org for more information.
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FREE OBSERVATION NIGHTS
Public Night is held once a month on the Thursday nearest first quarter moon. Observing starts a half hour after sunset. The event is weather dependent and is canceled in the event of clouds or inclement weather. *
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2025 Schedule
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Thursday Apr 3, 7:30 PM
Thursday May 1, 7:30 PM
Thursday Jun 5, 8:00 PM
Thursday Sep 25, 6:30 PM
Thursday Oct 30, 6:00 PM
Thursday Nov 13, 6:00 PM
Thursday Dec 11, 6:00 PM
Click on the RED button below to register.
“Call 520 626-6649 for a recorded message about the next Patterson public night and to check for cancellations.”
Patterson Field Trip Grant Program
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The University South Foundation's Patterson Field Trip Grant Program offers classrooms and schools the chance to apply for up to $250 to reimburse transportation for field trips to Patterson Observatory and Discovery Gardens. Eligible groups of up to 40 students can participate in a 2-hour tour on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, designed for 2nd–12th grades.
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Students will split into two groups, exploring astronomy with Huachuca Astronomy Club volunteers at the observatory and learning about local ecology with Cochise County Master Gardeners in the gardens.
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To apply, complete the application form, and a representative will respond within 7-10 days. For questions, contact the Foundation Office at 520-626-6594. Field trips can be rescheduled due to severe weather without affecting grant funding.
Leave a Legacy at the Patterson Observatory by purchasing a Star to place on the Comet Wall with your name engraved on the star.
Private Events for your club, group or youth organization can be scheduled by calling the University South Foundation, Inc. office at
520 458 8278 ext. 2129
Videos for your viewing pleasure...
The Patterson Observatory named after Mr. David Patterson
Patterson and his wife, June, were founding members of the Huachuca Astronomy Club and volunteers at the Flandrau Planetarium in Tucson, Arizona.
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Patterson was a major contributor to the creation of the observatory, including the purchase of the telescopes, and constructing the building.
His legacy continues to support the observatory and the University South Foundation.
*Disclaimer: “In consideration of my attendance at observing events held at the Patterson Observatory 1140 N. Colombo Avenue, Sierra Vista AZ, I agree to hold harmless the Patterson Observatory, The University South Foundation, Inc., the University of Arizona, South and the Huachuca Astronomy Club of Southeastern Arizona (also known as HAC or the Huachuca Astronomy Club), including their members, officers and sponsors from any claims, liabilities, losses, demands, causes of action, suits and expenses (including attorney fees and costs), which may directly or indirectly be connected to my attendance at the hosted event, my participation at the event, or my presence on the premises of the Patterson Observatory and/or the University of Arizona, Sierra Vista campus. I understand that these events are, by their nature, conducted at night and in environments with low levels of lighting, or no lighting, so as not to interfere with the ability of participants to view objects through various telescopes. Additionally, I understand that I may be required to climb ladders, or stairs, in very low light conditions, or in the absence of light, to properly utilize the telescopes”.