Once a month, John Paul Landing Environmental Education Center stays open late and invites residents from across the region to look at the stars.

Harris County Precinct 4 team members have been hosting An Evening Under the Stars one Saturday a month for several years. The free, all-ages event teaches residents about space and our environment, and visitors even get a chance to view the sky through high-powered telescopes.

In 2023, Bobby Martin, a Precinct 4 naturalist and experienced astronomy teacher, started helping with the program. Now, he is in charge of planning the event every month.

“Science was always a big one for me in school,” said Bobby. “I love astronomy. It’s so much fun. We know so much about our outer space, yet we know so little.”

Each evening begins with a presentation where visitors can learn something new about constellations, nebulae, our solar system, and more. Then, kids and adults alike get to make and take home a constellation projector that mirrors the constellation the group saw that evening. In early summer, Harris County residents have a chance to see Orion, Leo, and Scorpius.

“One of the one of the best comments I've ever had from somebody concerning astronomy is, ‘How did I not see this outside my house?’” said Bobby. “My number one answer to them is light pollution.”

Light pollution happens when street, building, and other lights brighten the night sky so much that stars and planets cannot be seen. Houston and other large cities have some of the worst light pollution, meaning that at best people can see a few stars and planets from their backyards.

But residents don’t need to travel to the Texas Hill Country to experience dark skies and bright stars. John Paul Landing Park consists of nearly 900 acres of greenspace and wetland and is surrounded by undeveloped prairie — meaning less light pollution.

While residents are encouraged to bring binoculars, spotting scopes, or telescopes if they have them, equipment is available. The evening is hosted in partnership with the Houston Astronomical Society, and members of the society attend every month to share their knowledge and their telescopes. Visitors can look at the Moon’s craters, Saturn’s rings, and even nebulae.

The next Evening Under the Stars will be held Saturday, May 24 from 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. at John Paul Landing Environmental Education Center located at 9950 Katy Hockley Road, Cypress, TX 77433. Residents are encouraged to sign up here and reach out to Precinct 4 staff at [email protected] or 713-274-3131 if they have any questions.