Milky Way

Stellar Vista Observatory

Based in Kanab, Utah, the mission of the Stellar Vista Observatory is to provide observational experiences for people to enjoy, appreciate, and comprehend what we can see in southern Utah’s starry night skies.

Private Night Sky Experiences

Small-group stargazing experiences

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Public Star Party Calendar

SVO offers at least one free public star party every month!

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Every donation supports curiosity and wonder

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Kanab’s Stellar Vista

It is startling to realize that humanity’s view of the stars now resides on the endangered list for most humans who can no longer enjoy a starry sky from where they live. The nonprofit Stellar Vista Observatory aims to enable residents and visitors to enjoy and more fully comprehend the celestial beauty of southern Utah’s starry nights with the creation of a public educational observatory in Kanab, Utah.

Due to its geographical remoteness, the proximity of numerous national and state parks, national forests and monuments and the absence of light pollution, Kane County, Utah is one of the darkest regions of the western Colorado Plateau. The gateway community of Kanab is exceptionally well situated for astronomical viewing yet there is no public observatory here. Stellar Vista Observatory will fill this need.

Education

Stellar Vista Observatory will stimulate interest in science, provide hands on training, and provide tools for Kane County educators.

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Tourism

A world class dark sky coupled with a state of the art observatory will make Kanab an elite dark sky destination in the United States.

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Community Enhancement

An observatory will offer exciting night time activities, enhance community pride, deliver inspiration.

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Recent Posts

  • August Moon, Stars, Meteors, and Planets!
    August 1, 2025

    Celestial viewing opportunities abound in mid-August. Two free public observing sessions hosted by Kanab’s Stellar Vista Observatory (SVO) are coming your way on August 11 and 12. One occurs in the morning, and the other takes place in the evening. Here’s how to participate. Consider starting your August 11 work week with the refreshing inspiration […]…

  • Seasons of the Solar System
    Seasons of the Solar System
    August 1, 2025

    Here on Earth, we undergo a changing of seasons every three months. Butwhat about the rest of the Solar System? What does a sunny day on Marslook like? How long would a winter on Neptune be? Let’s take a tour ofsome other planets and ask ourselves what seasons might look like there. Martian Autumn Although […]…

  • Kane County Friends of the Night Sky Program is Growing!
    Kane County Friends of the Night Sky Program is Growing!
    August 1, 2025

    SVO’s Friends of the Night Sky Program was featured in the May/JuneSpotlight at Utah State University’s Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative.This innovative program is helping Kanab-area businesses preserve ouramazingly dark skies by advising them on dark-sky friendly outdoor lighting.Participating businesses undergo a lighting inventory conducted by an SVOrepresentative to identify ways they can improve their […]…