Another once-in-a-lifetime event coming SOON:  a nova explosion!  This one will be visible for a full week.  Check back for details of exact dates.  Book the Cackle Observatory for the best views in the area!
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Huth Avian has years of experience as an amateur astronomer to share with you!

Proud Member of Austin Astronomical Society since 2001

Owner/operator of "Cackle Observatory"

Cackle Observatory
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Home built roll-off roof observatory housing a
Celestron 9.25" computerized telescope. 

                                            Star Parties
                For an unusual way to spend an evening:

Planning a family reunion or business conference in the area? Want to throw a unique birthday party or host a special event?

Huth Avian is pleased to offer a unique service in the TX Hill Country: book the Cackle Observatory for a night of star-gazing!  One of HA's goals is to share the beauty of the night sky. Jesse will be on hand to position his telescope on some of the most exciting objects our skies have to offer, as well as answering your cosmic questions. Our clear, dry, night skies yield impressive views of the planets, our own Moon, the constellations, galaxies beyond our own Milky Way galaxy, fascinating star clusters, the ISS and other satellites, as well as incredible gas clouds out in deep space. Our state-of-the-art telescope provides a window to the universe and brings otherwise invisible celestial objects into plain view with incredible detail. The rings of Saturn, the cloud bands and moons of Jupiter, and the craters and seas on the Moon can easily be seen. These and other sights will all be thoroughly described to you.     (A bonfire with hot dogs, marshmallows and hot chocolate can also be arranged in colder months.)

If you require a daytime activity, we also offer solar viewing. We can accommodate safe observing of our Sun through a telescope fitted with special filters that highlight prominences and sunspots to offer a fascinating view of our own star.

Sessions are available year round.

Can't make it to the observatory?
We may be able to travel to, or near, your location for an event. Please note, while it would be really fun to set up in your backyard, some locations may not provide the best viewing due to buildings, trees, or simply too much light pollution to see some the best objects in the sky. In these cases a suitable location near your event may be used in lieu of your exact location.


Contact us to discuss details and pricing.


Cackle Observatory Clear Sky Chart.... click on chart for info on how to read chart..... use for planning a good night to observe!
   2024 Celestial Events 
  • January 3, 4 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower
  • January 11 - New Moon
  • January 25 - Full Moon - Wolf Moon
  • Feb 9 - New Moon
  • February 24 - Full Moon - Snow Moon 
  • March 10 - New Moon
  • March 20 - March Equinox
  • March 26 -  Live Long and Prosper Day  https://nationaltoday.com/live-long-and-prosper-day/
  • ​March 25 - Full Moon -  Worm Moon
  • March 25 - Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
  • April 8 - New Moon
  • April 8 - Total Solar Eclipse. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks the Sun, revealing the Sun's beautiful outer atmosphere known as the corona. This is a rare, once-in-a-lifetime event for viewers in the United States. The last total solar eclipse visible in the continental United States occurred in 2017 and the next one will not take place until 2045. The path of totality will begin in the Pacific Ocean and move across parts of Mexico and the eastern United States and Nova Scotia. The total eclipse will be visible in parts of Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information) (NASA Interactive Google Map)
  • April 22, 23 - Lyrids Meteor Shower
  • April 23 - Full Moon -  Pink Moon
  • May 6, 7 - Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower
  • May 8 - New Moon
  • May 23 - Full Moon - Flower Moon
  • June 6 - New Moon
  • June 20 - June Solstice
  • June 22 - Full Moon, Strawberry or Honey Moon
  • July 5 - New Moon
  • July 21 - Full Moon - Buck Moon
  • July 28, 29 - Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower
  • August 4 - New Moon
  • August 12, 13 - Perseids Meteor Shower
  • August 19 - Full Moon, Blue Supermoon - Sturgeon Moon
  • September 3 - New Moon
  • September 8 - Saturn at Opposition The ringed planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view and photograph Saturn and its moons. A medium-sized or larger telescope will allow you to see Saturn's rings and a few of its brightest moons.
  • September 18 - Full Moon, Supermoon - Corn Moon
  • September 18 - Partial Lunar Eclipse
  • September 20 - Neptune at Opposition The blue giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view and photograph Neptune. Due to its extreme distance from Earth, it will only appear as a tiny blue dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.
  • September 22 - September Equinox
  • Late September- Mid-Oct - CometC/2023 A3​theskylive.com/c2023a3-info​https://theskylive.com/c2023a3-info
  • October 2 - New Moon
  • October 2 - Annular Solar Eclipse
  • October 7 - Draconids Meteor Shower
  • October 17 - Full Moon, Supermoon - Hunters Moon
  • October 21, 22 - Orionids Meteor Shower
  • November 1 - New Moon
  • November 4, 5 - Taurids Meteor Shower
  • November 15 - Full Moon, Supermoon - Beaver Moon
  • November 17 - Uranus at Opposition. The blue-green planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view Uranus. Due to its distance, it will only appear as a tiny blue-green dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.
  • November 17, 18 - Leonids Meteor Shower
  • December 1 - New Moon
  • December 7 - Jupiter at Opposition. The giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view and photograph Jupiter and its moons. A medium-sized telescope should be able to show you some of the details in Jupiter's cloud bands. A good pair of binoculars should allow you to see Jupiter's four largest moons, appearing as bright dots on either side of the planet.
  • December 13, 14 - Geminids Meteor Shower
  • December 15 - Full Moon - Cold Moon
  • December 21 - December Solstice
  • December 21, 22 - Ursids Meteor Shower
  • December 30 - New Moon​