At the UNH Observatory, on the UNH Durham Campus - 16 Spinney Lane
Directions
Admission is FREE, but donations are welcome. Food and beverages available for purchase.
Volunteers needed at the festival? Click Here to learn how to help.
Keynote [7 p.m.]
" The James Webb Space Telescope: What We've Learned and What is Still to Come" Heidi Hammel, Ph.D, VP of AURA, Associated Universities for Research in Astronomy
Laser Pointer Sky Tours and General Night Sky Observing Through Telescopes [after keynote until 11 p.m. ]
We’ll be looking at the Moon, Sun, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and many beautiful deep sky objects such as galaxies, star clusters and nebulae.
1 hr session, six groups, 12 participants per group (Ages 6 and up) Sign-ups start at 10:30 a.m.
Group Start Times (1 hr sessions)
Have a sick or uncooperative telescope? Let us take a look! Visit us at the New Hampshire Astronomical Society (NHAS) Booth - Main Tent
Firefly A illustration of the earth from space in a classroom
For persons seeking accessibility accommodations or who have questions, please contact John Gianforte, john.gianforte@unh.edu prior to the event.
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Take The Shuttle and Check Out Ocean Discovery Day!
Another amazing free STEM event on the Durham campus.
Let us know if you or a child you know is interested 4-H Astronomy programs, like Star Parties in their community.
Submit your name and email address to have a 4-H program manager help you get involved.
The festival is for anyone who has an interest in astronomy. Families in particular are encouraged to attend because astronomy is a great family hobby. Local amateurs, like the members of the New Hampshire Astronomical Society, share their passion and enthusiasm about astronomy with the public.
The lot on Spinney Lane, which is closest to the Observatory , will be used for parking.
Additional parking will be available on the right (north) side of O'Kane Road and in Mast Road Lot 2. Mast Road Lot 2 is a dirt and gravel lot that lies along Main Street and Mast Road Extension and holds approximately 150 cars.
Parking will also be available at the UNH Child Study and Development Center from 6 p.m. on Friday and all day and all night on Saturday.
Accessible parking spots are available near the Contractor's Lot on Spinney Lane.
Overflow parking available in the Moiles Parking lot on the corner of Main Street and Mast Road Extension.
The best part about NEFAF is that you don't need to bring anything! Admission to the festival is free, although donations to the UNH Observatory are appreciated. The only costs to you would be if you'd like to purchase food or tickets for our raffle.
We will also be featuring a telescope clinic, so if you have a telescope at home that is broken or you're not quite sure how to use, you can bring that with you and have it looked at by our telescope experts. Other than that, just bring your excitement and enthusiasm!
Most of the events for NEFAF will take place on the lawns surrounding the UNH Observatory, which may be challenging for guests. If you have any questions about accessibility at NEFAF or would like to request accommodations, please email John Gianforte, john.gianforte@unh.edu, prior to the event.
Unfortunately, the full breadth of NEFAF's events will only be able to occur if the weather cooperates. In the case of cloud cover, but no precipitation, NEFAF will be held without its weather-dependent activities, such as solar and night-time observing. If there is cloud cover with light rain, most of our talks and presentations will most likely still be held without the outdoor activities. In the case of heavy rain or storms, the event may need to be cancelled. Please check our website and Facebook page for weather updates and information.
Donations are very much-appreciated to keep the New England Fall Astronomy Festival going for years to come. These donations go directly to help fund NEFAF. Thank you in advance!
Please click the "Donate" button and select "additional or multiple funds" and click on "Physics & Astronomy Festival Gift Fund".
Volunteers are an important part of NEFAF. Click the button and fill out the form to apply. Opportunities include operating telescopes, running kids games, selling raffle tickets, assisting with parking, setting up booths, and cleaning up. Astronomy knowledge not required, just a desire to help.
