TSC Mass. Space Days - Boston Common Stargazing Festival: STAR FEST#2

The Boston Common Stargazing Festival, “STAR FEST,” is back! After a successful first edition during Massachusetts Space Week 2026, STAR FEST returns this fall as part of the Mass. Space Days, The Space Consortium’s programming for Massachusetts STEM Week.
Open to all ages, from 1 to 99+, whether you are new to sungazing, stargazing, or astrophotography, or a seasoned observer, come experience an afternoon and evening of exploration, connection, and discovery!

Hosted with DarkSky Massachusetts, #popscope, ATMoB and the MIT Satellite Team, STAR FEST#2 brings together three free skywatching activities, from observing our closest star during the day to learning how to photograph and explore the night sky after dark. Like all Space Consortium outreach events, STAR FEST#2 is free and open to all! To help us prepare for the day and provide the best possible experience for everyone, we kindly ask attendees to reserve a free ticket in advance. TSC’s Space Days free programming is made possible with support from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education (EOE).

1. Activity 1, 3-5 pm: Sungazing Workshop
   Join the STAR FEST team in the afternoon for a special sungazing workshop and discover the brightest star in our sky: our Sun! TSc and ATMoB members will show you how to use solar filters to safely observe the Sun and explore some of the features visible on its surface.
2. Activity 2, 6.30-8.30 pm: Astrophotography for Beginners, Part II
   Learn how to capture the night sky in this free two-part Astrophotography for Beginners workshop! Start with an online introductory lecture on Tuesday, October 20, from 5-6 pm, then put what you learned into practice during Part II, a hands-on session at STAR FEST on Boston Common on Saturday, October 24, from 6.30-8.30 pm. Space is limited, and attendance at Tuesday’s online lecture is required to participate in the Saturday workshop. Participants registered for this two-part workshop do not need a separate ticket for STAR FEST.
   Register for Tuesday’s online lecture here: tickettailor.com/events/thespaceconsortium/2432327
3. Activity 3, 7-9 pm: Explore the Night Sky
   As night falls over Boston Common, telescopes will be set up across the field for a free evening of stargazing and discovery. Come take a look at stars, planets, and other objects visible in the night sky, with guidance from passionate volunteer astronomers, educators, space outreach experts, and members of local stargazing groups.
   More than an opportunity to look through a telescope, STAR FEST is a chance to meet and connect with your local stargazing community. Whether you have never used a telescope before, are looking for advice on getting started, or are already an experienced observer, you’ll have the opportunity to meet people who share a passion for the night sky, ask questions, learn about local astronomy groups and activities, and explore the universe together.
   Telescopes and guidance will be provided by The Space Consortium, DarkSky Massachusetts, #popscope, ATMoB, the MIT Satellite Team, and other participating groups and volunteers.

About The Space Consortium

Launched in 2017, The Space Consortium (TSC) is a Massachusetts-based, space academics and researchers-led 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to democratizing space knowledge and making space education accessible to all, while connecting Massachusetts space experts and enthusiasts with each other and with the broader public.
Through Massachusetts Space Week, Mass. Space Days, The Space Film Festival, school visits, free educational programs, community gatherings, and more than 120 free events each year, TSC aims to create opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about and engage with everything space while connecting with the people and organizations that make up the region’s space ecosystem.