A rate of up to one hundred fifty shooting stars per hour highlights the upcoming winter celestial calendar. Stargazers across the country can access public viewing sessions starting October 31, 2026. Winter brings clear skies and optimal viewing conditions to the region, according to NARIT Assistant Director Suparerk Cihananont.
Observatories Hosting Public Telescope Sessions
Public observations take place every Saturday night from October 31, 2026, through May 2027. Events occur at the Sirindhorn Astronomical Park in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, and four regional observatories. These regional sites include Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Chachoengsao, and Songkhla. Telescopes ranging up to zero point seven meters in aperture allow visitors to view distant celestial objects free of charge during the weekly public nights.
Winter Festival Begins with Halloween and Saturn Viewing
The winter festival opens on Saturday, October 31, 2026, with a themed gathering called Starry Halloween x Alien Night. Visitors dress in costumes and view stars and celestial objects through telescopes from 18:00 to 22:00 hours. Weeks later on Saturday, November 21, 2026, the focus shifts to Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization Garden for a public Saturn-viewing caravan featuring telescopes and specialized astronomy activities.
December Meteor Showers and Christmas Full Moons
Stargazers head to Chiang Dao district in Chiang Mai on the night of December 13 through the morning of December 14, 2026, for the Geminid meteor shower. The event, titled Chiang Dao Turn Off Lights, Open Skies, coincides with a dark moon phase that leaves the viewing window free of lunar interference. Later that month, a three-day Christmas celebration runs from December 24 through 26, 2026. The highlight occurs on December 24 when the moon is closest to Earth in the year aligns with holiday planetarium shows.
AstroFest and Starry Night Events Open in January
The Sirindhorn Astronomical Park opens its doors for NARIT AstroFest on Saturday, January 9, 2027, welcoming families for daytime science exhibits and evening public viewing. A week later, on Saturday, January 16, 2027, public telescopes deploy in central Bangkok for the Starry Night over Bangkok event. Another full moon closest to Earth in the year arrives on Friday, January 22, 2027, offering a lunar viewing opportunity across all five primary observatory locations.
Doi Inthanon Observatory Opens for Jupiter and Mars
The national observatory on Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai opens its 2.4-meter telescope facility for two exclusive dates on January 30 and February 6, 2027. February brings close planetary approaches, featuring Jupiter on February 10 and Mars on February 20, 2027. Observers can study both planets through telescopes between 18:00 and 22:00 hours.
