Astronomy Festival on the National Mall 2026!

About this event

Astronomy Festival on the National Mall (AFNM) will be this Saturday, 9-26-26, from 6 to 9 pm. Lots of local astronomy clubs will bring out a variety of scopes for people to look through, or admire, or view an image being created on the spot with EAA. The brightest targets will be the full Moon and Venus. I don't know what other organizations (universities, agencies, etc) besides astro clubs will come. Do \*not\* expect the large extravaganza we've had for AFNM in the past! This was put together in a hurry after the founder (Donald Lubowitch) passed away not long ago. The location is the graveled walkways between the Air and Space Museum and the National Gallery (4th to 7th Streets between Jefferson and Madison Drives). Those bringing telescopes can set up starting at 5 and must leave by 11 pm. On-street parking is quite limited, and the nearest pay parking garage is a few blocks away. Madison Drive (on the north side of the mall) will have more convenient drop-off spaces for equipment than Jefferson (on the south side). Bring your own chair(s), cart(s) and table(s) if you need them. None of that stuff, nor electrical power nor porta-potties or anything else will be provided!!! There are bathrooms open 24/7 at the southeast corner of the Eisenhower Memorial on the south side of Independence Avenue, opposite the NASM, roughly 600 yards away. Consider taking Metro rail or bus if possible. Check the NOVAC.com (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FNOVAC.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwcGRvZgFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFlMEZXTVpoSHRCOVBrc0pEc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHt3WTE82I4v2VqXvxVqgIgDAlLNurX7eHUaQaFbSS3Dl7uLMZ4yOYa-ERHSn_aem_8fHzln7ViF8YtvD9i8pJjQ&h=AUBsRl2M_IM01xd7tIIV12u0gedvDg5GjjMKxPDZegzsS_AfdUUM2Ofuq1nLC-mQ70J7HaOFFf2XuYT5J9mBFqneFNOkb59-FEiIGLcxInDaITxMiMQFwc594F9Kl0u3B3IWgKFYPQEPUucgDE09bmynkNbN6o8g&__tn__=-UK-R&c%5B0%5D=AUBh1wJW3mnTjl4zy1_cnEpLIVaiy6cPDMTkaCx4OJ-zSSZVellkzddHMBEvPfz_LS-00RJ81CMD5VT5OUJaU5slosNIfdsop-fQVyunknujJcm2QtD_rQJIcCKtqoBnbahOH8VgCWT4Qfbc5Y2IhXE3TMZqrK_Ah2bpb6KBig) web page to see if bad weather will cause cancellation