Friends Of Taylor Observatory

04/15/2026

Celebrate EARTH DAY with the:

Traveling Star Show

Scientific Silliness for the whole family! Join us at Taylor Observatory for a live musical performance by the Traveling Star Show. For more than twenty years Angelo Parisi and Terry England have preformed their unique brand of fun educational songs about science and astronomy to elementary schools, state parks, and astronomer’s conventions across California. A splendid time is guaranteed for all! *

*In 2004 the Traveling Star Show won the Astronomical Society of the Pacific’s Los Cumbres Award for outstanding educational outreach by an amateur astronomer to K-12 children and the interested lay public.

Following this one hour presentation (weather permitting) guests are invited to view the night sky through the Observatory’s telescopes.

Weather you’re a seasoned astronomer or just curious about the cosmos, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience. This event is open to all Lake County families. This event will be hosted by Lake County Office of Education Astronomy expert Angelo Parisi.

For more information, contact Angelo Parisi at [email protected]

When: Tuesday April 22, 2026

Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Taylor Observatory
5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville

Seats are limited.

For tickets click the link below:

https://starshowtaylorobservatory.eventbrite.com/

03/19/2026

The Untold Story of Apollo 15

In 1972 astronauts Steve Scott, Jim Irwin, and Al Worden embarked on an epic voyage of scientific discovery. Apollo 15 was the fourth moon landing and the most daring. Dave Scott piloted the lunar module through a mountain pass landing near the rim of a deep canyon. Why did NASA choose such a risky landing site? What were the scientific goals?

Samples returned by Apollo 15 revolutionized our understanding of the moon, the Earth, and the Solar system. Yet few people are aware it ever happened. Learn all about this amazing adventure in “The Untold Story of Apollo15”.

Following this one hour presentation (weather permitting) guests are invited to view the night sky through the Observatory’s telescopes.

Weather you’re a seasoned astronomer or just curious about the cosmos, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience. This event is open to all Lake County families. This event will be hosted by Lake County Office of Education Astronomy expert Angelo Parisi.

For more information, contact Angelo Parisi at [email protected]

When: Friday March 27, 2026

Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Taylor Observatory
5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville

Seats are limited.

For tickets click the link below:

https://taylorobservatoryapollo26.eventbrite.com/

03/09/2026

Einstein’s Birthday / Pi Day

Albert Einstein fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe. Join us as we celebrate the 146th birthday of this amazing mind with a series of short films about Einstein’s discoveries and his legacy.

At this event we will also delve into the meaning of retrograde motion, the precession of the equinox, and the dawning of the age of Aquarius.

Following this one hour presentation (weather permitting) guests are invited to view the night sky through the Observatory’s telescopes.

Weather you’re a seasoned astronomer or just curious about the cosmos, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience. This event is open to all Lake County families. This event will be hosted by Lake County Office of Education Astronomy expert Angelo Parisi.

For more information, contact Angelo Parisi at [email protected]

When: Saturday March 14, 2026

Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Taylor Observatory
5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville

Seats are limited.

For tickets click the link below:

https://taylorobservatoryeinstein.eventbrite.com/

02/13/2026

02/14/2026

Love Stories in the Night Sky

The constellations in the night sky tell many ancient stories of love. Join us Valentine's Day for a romantic evening under the stars of the planetarium to hear these love stories written in the stars.

Following this one hour presentation (weather permitting) guests are invited to view the night sky through the Observatory’s telescopes.

Weather you’re a seasoned astronomer or just curious about the cosmos, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience. This event is open to all Lake County families. This event will be hosted by Lake County Office of Education Astronomy expert Angelo Parisi.

For more information, contact Angelo Parisi at [email protected]

When: Saturday February 14, 2026

Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Taylor Observatory
5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville

Seats are limited.

For tickets click the link below:

https://taylorlovestories26.eventbrite.com/

02/06/2026

Artemis, Return to the Moon
For the first time since 1972, NASA will be sending astronauts to the moon. If all goes as planned Artemis 2 will be launching in the very near future. Four astronauts will travel on a ten-day, million-mile journey around the moon and back testing systems for future missions.

Learn about the rockets and machines that will fly these four brave Astronauts to the moon and carry them safely home again.

Learn about NASA’s long-term plans for a space station to be placed in orbit around the moon and to eventually establish a permanent base on the moon.

Following this one hour presentation (weather permitting) guests are invited to view the night sky through the Observatory’s telescopes.

Weather you’re a seasoned astronomer or just curious about the cosmos, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience. This event is open to all Lake County families. This event will be hosted by Lake County Office of Education Astronomy expert Angelo Parisi.

For more information, contact Angelo Parisi at [email protected]

When: Saturday February 7, 2026

Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Taylor Observatory
5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville

Seats are limited.

For tickets click the link below:

https://artemisreturn26.eventbrite.com/

01/04/2026

Telescope Workshop
Saturday, January 18th 2026
7pm-9pm

So you have a telescope, and you are unsure how to use it?
Stop by Taylor Observatory on January 18th, and our astronomers will be happy to help you get started!
Learn about the types of telescopes, how to properly align a telescope, and start enjoying the dark skies of Lake County.

Location: Taylor Observatory, 5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville, CA 95451.
Proceed to the end of Oak Hills Lane on the gravel road.

$10 per adult
Lake County Students- Free
No tickets required.
Additional donations in support of Lake County students are encouraged.
For more information, email Eduardo Alatorre at [email protected]

12/17/2025

A Cosmic Journey Through Space and Time

In this show, we will explore the universe on its grandest scale. Using stunning visual effects we will tour the wonders of the Milky Way Galaxy, the Andromeda Galaxy, and beyond. Learn about the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, what happens when galaxies collide, and the mystery of dark matter. Join us for this thrilling adventure through space and time!

Following this one hour presentation guests are invited to view the night sky (weather permitting) through the Observatory’s telescopes

Weather you’re a seasoned astronomer or just curious about the cosmos, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience. This event is open to all Lake County families. Lake County Office of Education Astronomy Expert Angelo Parisi will host this event. For more information, contact Angelo Parisi at [email protected]

When: Friday, January 09, 2026

Time: 7:30pm

Where: Taylor Observatory
5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville

Seats are limited.

For tickets click the link below:

https://galaxy26.eventbrite.com/

12/17/2025

Saturday, December 20, 2025
“Mystery of the Christmas Star”
EVENING PROGRAM
7:00 PM Gates Open
7:30 PM Planetarium Show
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Telescope Viewing (Weather permitting)

Produced by Evans & Sutherland Digital Theater, “Mystery of the Christmas Star” allows audiences to journey back 2000 years to Bethlehem as we seek to discover a scientific explanation for the Star the wise men followed to find the baby Jesus. This modern retelling of the Christmas story is sure to charm and captivate audiences of all ages. The planetarium is a perfect place to study this because of its ability to reproduce the skies exactly as seen
from Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago.

Planetarium Theater has a 32-seat capacity
Location: Taylor Observatory, 5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville, CA 95451
Admission $5.00 for adults and free for all Lake County Students
Tickets are sold at the door.

12/08/2025

Taylor Observatory was featured in today's issue of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat's Town and Life section. Take a look at the science education work Taylor Observatory does in our community.

Taylor Observatory and Norton Planetarium offers cosmic educational events from the Earth and beyond for all ages.

11/04/2025

FireFall

Join us at the Taylor Observatory for a showing of the full dome planetarium show FireFall. This 34 minute film covers Earth’s violent history. Impacts from comets and asteroids have mercilessly shaped the Earth’s surface. The ancient barrage continues today; from harmless meteors – those brilliant streaks in the night sky, to mountain sized boulders wandering perilously close to Earth. Terrifying and majestic, these invaders from space are capable of utter destruction yet they have delivered life-giving water and most of the organic materials necessary for life.

On this night the moon will be dark and the Leonid Meteor Shower will be at it’s peak.

After each show (weather permitting) guests are invited to view the nightsky through the Observatory’s telescopes.



Weather you’re a seasoned astronomer or just curious aboutthe cosmos,this event promises to be an unforgettable experience. This event is open to all Lake County families.

This event will be hosted by Lake County Office of Education Astronomyexpert Angelo Parisi. For more information, contact Angelo Parisi at [email protected]

When: Saturday, November 15, 2025

Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Taylor Observatory
5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville

Seats are limited.

For tickets click the link below:

https://firefall25.eventbrite.com/