UCLA Club Will Host Star Party on November 6
The Astronomical Society at UCLA is organizing an upcoming overnight stargazing trip to Mount Pinos.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Space
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The Astronomical Society at UCLA plans to take students to Mount Pinos for a stargazing trip on Nov. 6, 2026. This excursion provides an opportunity for participants to escape urban light pollution and view the night sky clearly.
Why it matters
The trip allows students to escape urban light pollution, which typically limits visibility in the city to only 10 or 20 stars. By traveling to a darker location, attendees can observe celestial phenomena like the Milky Way in greater detail.
The excursion accommodates approximately 60 students and requires a 2-hour drive from campus to reach the dark-sky site. Participants previously observed the Milky Way at 2 a.m. during similar outings.
The players
Astronomical Society at UCLA
This student organization fosters interest in astronomy through telescope shows, educational outreach, and field trips.
The details
The Astronomical Society coordinates carpooling and telescope transportation for the Mount Pinos trips using equipment owned by the university physics and Earth, planetary and space science departments. These trips occur every fall and spring quarter to offer students access to high-quality observation conditions.
Timeline
Weekly telescope shows on the Math Sciences Building roof occur on Wednesdays.
Overnight trips to Mount Pinos are held during fall and spring quarters.
The next Star Party trip is scheduled for Nov. 6, 2026.
The Big Picture
The Astronomical Society at UCLA trip addresses the ongoing impact of urban light pollution on the Los Angeles night sky. By moving operations outside the city, the club creates a research and observation environment that bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world astrophysics.
Students interested in astronomy can participate in weekly telescope shows at the Math Sciences Building or daytime solar shows outside Royce Hall. These outreach efforts provide consistent opportunities to engage with telescopes outside of the biannual off-campus trips.
The takeaway
Aspiring astronomers in urban centers often rely on coordinated excursions to overcome light pollution. Students should contact campus organizations to secure their spots for these limited-capacity trips early in the semester.
What happens next
The next Star Party trip is set for Nov. 6, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local celestial events and research in our Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Bruin.
Live Poll
Do you make an effort to seek out dark skies away from your city's light pollution?
