Up on the hill behind Western Nevada College (WNC) in North Carson City is the Jack C. Davis Observatory. The observatory, a dome-shaped building opened in 2003 as part of WNC, looks out over the city and up to the star-covered Northern Nevada sky. The observatory has a total of three telescopes. There are two reflecting telescopes inside the facility, and one refracting telescope on the outside, used for studying sunspots. The observatory also has a weather station. It is open to the public for visitation. Come inside on a clear evening and take some closer looks at the moon and visible planets in our solar system, or come just for a gorgeous view and a stargaze. The WNC Astronomical Society holds Star Party events at the observatory every Saturday night with lectures, open telescopes and tours. Plus connecting the observatory to the WNC campus is the Planetary Walkway, a trail lined with sandstone monuments depicting each of our solar system's planets along with information on each one.
Jack C. Davis Observatory
2269 Vanpatten Avenue, Carson City
(775) 445-3000