Dyer Observatory

Our mission is to inspire public interest in science, technology, engineering, math and astronomy through community events, student outreach, and educational resources.

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Explore with Us

From field trips and summer camps, to telescope nights, Meet the Astronomer evenings and concerts under the stars, we welcome you to discover Dyer Observatory.

Plan Your Visit

All visits must take place during a ticketed event.

 

Click on our "Events & Ticketing" tab for event descriptions and the link to our ticketing page. Events are added throughout the year, so check back from time to time.

 

We regret we cannot accommodate small private tours at this time.

Top Resources

A Tennessee Treasure

Crowning one of Nashville's tallest peaks, our telescopes have pointed toward the sky since 1953. We are surrounded by scenic Radnor Lake State Park and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 
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Snow Updates

Dyer Observatory in winter from above

Due to the Feb 18 snow and the ongoing freezing temperatures, our road will be impassible through the end of the week.

Friday's "Galaxies, Glaciers, and Deep Time" will now be an online event only. Ticket holders were issued a refund via Eventbrite.

The Feb 19 BSAS meeting will be moved online. Everyone is welcome to tune in at 7pm for club updates and a talk by Dr. Jason Dworkin, Senior Scientist at the Goddard Space Flight Center, as he presents "OSIRIS-REx Returned a Piece of the Early Solar System."

We will resume our regular event schedule and field trips on February 28, 2025. 

Join our email list to keep up with Dyer highlights and follow us on Eventbrite to get alerts for events when they post.

Galaxies, Glaciers, and Deep Time: A conversation between artists, scientists, and humanists

Friday, February 21 at 7pm

Montréal artist Jessica Houston journeys from pole to pole through oral narratives, photography, collage, and painting to explore climate justice, particularly emphasizing the deep time of ice and collaboration with nature. 

Celebrating both beauty and complexities of the polar regions, her work offers a meditative reminder of humanity’s place within the vast geological and ecological cycles of the Earth.

Panelists: Jessica Houston (Artist), William K. Teets (Director, Dyer Observatory), Jana Harper (Arts), Clara Wilch (Postdoctoral Fell​ow, Environmental Humanities), Dan Morgan (Earth Sciences), Lutz Koepnick (Cinema and Media Studies) moderates.

Watch on YouTube

Monthly Astro Calendar

Download our monthly calendar to keep up with events and take a look back at fascinating dates in aerospace and science history. NEW for 2025, our calendar is now interactive! Click images and text to visit sites with much more detailed information. View the demo.

Download

Host a Memorable Event at Dyer

Dyer offers a variety of spaces inside our historic main building or bungalow--or you may wish to enjoy our verdant grounds from under the large tented patio or shaded lawn.

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Enjoy this month's sky

Download our sky chart every month as your guide to the night sky.

Download

Astronomy Updates

Visit our Blog page to keep up with current astronomy events. All posts are written by Dyer staff.

We post our most time-sensitive astronomy updates (such as aurora information) to our social media accounts Facebook, X, and Instagram. Check those sites or follow us to keep up!

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Now on YouTube

When mathematics and physics collide: black-hole mergers, neutron stars, and the Einstein theory of relativity with Vanderbilt's Dr. Marcelo Disconzi.

Watch
  • Dyer's library with Hubble model
  • Concert crowd in front of Dyer
  • Dr. Billy showing planetarium dome to students

  • Dyer's Library

    Browse our library during ticketed events or set it up for a memorable event rental.

  • Bluebird on the Mountain

    Dyer Observatory partners with the famed Bluebird Cafe for a concert series that runs June through October.

  • Field Trips

    Our daytime field trips accommodate groups of 3rd grade and up with many activities to choose from.

Stay Connected

Join our email list to stay up to date on all our news and events.

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