Entry No. 88 — the Dallas file — filed under: after-dark

Rafes Urban Astronomy Center (UNT)

The University of North Texas runs this working teaching observatory out past the edge of Denton, and on the first and third Saturday of each month it opens to the public for star parties. Four telescope huts each hold four Celestron C8s, and two domes house an 8-inch refractor plus a vintage 6-inch Unitron refractor that students and staff aim at whatever is up that night. Admission is about $6 a person, start time slides with sunset, and they post a go/no-go weather call at 2pm the day of.

The move: Drive out past Denton on a clear Saturday, pay the few-dollar admission, and take turns at the telescope huts while a grad student talks you through the planets and deep-sky objects overhead.

📍 Before you go First and third Saturdays only; check the website at 2pm the day-of for weather cancellation. ~$6/person.

• 📍 Ponder / Denton
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 2350 Tom Cole Rd, Denton, TX 76207

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23