Kansas Is Home To One Of The Best Places To See The Stars In The World

The Sunflower State is beautiful during the day. But one of the more fantastic things about our state is that our rural areas are absolutely perfect for observing the gorgeous night sky. Stargazing in Kansas is easy - if you go just outside our big cities, you'll be greeted with plenty of opportunities to see all the beauty of the night sky, including both constellations and planets, on a clear day. The lack of city lights in our rural areas allows a much better chance to spot the stars than you'd have in a more crowded state. One of our favorite places to see the stars in Kansas is the Powell Observatory in Louisburg, just on the border with Missouri. Check it out:

The Powell Observatory has one of the most powerful public telescopes in a five-state area. The Ruisinger telescope has its own 20-foot dome and computerized controls.

You can also find a couple of smaller telescopes here, too, each housed in separate buildings.

The observatory is operated by the Astronomical Society of Kansas City and is entirely staffed by volunteers.

Each year, the observatory is open to the public on select dates from May to October. The presentations occur regardless of weather unless there is rain, in which case the events are canceled.

Each presentation focuses on a different topic in astronomy, with all images shown on a projector using the powerful Ruisinger telescope.

The outdoor events are a blast for the whole family and are great for beginners and experienced astronomers alike.

This is such a great location for astronomers of all ages and skill levels to try a hand at stargazing in Kansas.

For more information about this great observatory in Kansas, including a list of upcoming public events, check out the Powell Observatory website or the Astronomical Society of Kansas City Facebook page.