August ESP Newsletter Current Sky Map
The Mayland Earth to Sky Park is an environmental educational park offering unique opportunities to learn about the natural world, from the earth to the sky. We are proud to have an observatory and planetarium within the park.
We are an International Dark Sky Park, and the grounds are open to the public with 24-hour access to the parking area for stargazing. The Bare Dark Sky Observatory is home to the “Sam Scope”, a 34” Newtonian telescope offering exceptional nighttime views of the cosmos. Community Viewing Nights are held monthly.
Please note: Access to the Telescopes in the Observatory building is only open for ticketed events.
Observatory tickets are required to be purchased in advance through Eventbrite.
The Glenn and Carol Arthur Planetarium has a 36 ft projection dome, which hosts weekly shows – from traditional astronomy to STEM related programs.
Questions? Contact the Park at observatory@mayland.edu or by calling the Visitor Center at 828-470-7584.
Special event hours and other private events are often beyond regular hours.
Visitor Center and Planetarium Hours
Thursdays: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fridays: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Saturdays: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sundays 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The Visitor Center & Planetarium are closed: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
More Visitor Center & Planetarium hours will be available soon
International Dark Sky Association regulations require 24/7 access to the grounds at Mayland Earth to Sky Park. Guests are welcome to stargaze at any time, even when the Visitor’s Center, Planetarium, and Observatory are closed: for details, visit the Bare Dark Sky Observatory page under "Visiting When the Observatory is Closed". Access to the telescopes in the observatory building is only open for ticketed events. Tickets are required to be purchased in advance through Eventbrite.
For special accommodations, please call 828-470-7584 two weeks in advance of your visit so that we can better serve you.
For special accommodations or Observatory questions email: observatory@mayland.edu
For special accommodations or Planetarium questions email: planetarium@mayland.edu
From Marion through Spruce Pine:
Travel to Spruce Pine via Hwy 221 north to Hwy 226 west.
Turn left onto Hwy 19E south toward Burnsville and travel about 8 miles.
Turn right onto Hwy 80 north and travel about 2 miles.
Turn left onto Landfill Road. Follow the signs to Mayland Earth to Sky Park.
From Asheville through Burnsville:
From I-26 West toward Tennessee take exit 9 (Burnsville exit).
On Hwy 19E north travel approximately 21 miles, passing through Burnsville.
Turn left onto Hwy 80 north and travel about 2 miles.
Turn left onto Landfill Road. Follow the signs to Mayland Earth to Sky Park.
Call 828-470-7584
Email with Observatory questions: observatory@mayland.edu
Email with Planetarium questions: planetarium@mayland.edu
Physical Address: 66 Energy Exchange Dr. Burnsville, NC 28714
Mailing address: PO Box 547 Spruce Pine, NC 28777.
