Stargazing is now within reach for every Mumbaikar seeking some cosmic magic. You can gather your friends and family for an enchanting night under the stars — whether it’s from your own terrace or at places like Asangaon and Shahpur.
‘These events are open to all age groups’
Every weekend events are held on the outskirts of the city with groups of 40-50 people. Mihir Gilbile, astronomer and stargazer at an astronomical society says, “These events are open to all age groups. They are held at places like Vangani Observatory and Bhandardara Campsite. People can also opt to stay the night in a tent and enjoy local food.”
‘We transform rooftops into a stargazing zone’
Aaditya Shah, co-founder of a company that organises stargazing events from rooftops in Mumbai, says, “We transform rooftops into a stargazing zone by setting up professional-grade telescopes, star charts and projection equipment. Our powerful telescopes allow you to observe planets, craters on the moon and deep-sky objects like star clusters. Our certified astronomy experts guide you through the session, explaining celestial phenomena and helping you navigate the night sky. We also have a few fun activities for kids.”
‘No prior knowledge of astronomy is required’
P Shreekumar Krishnan, who organises stargazing events, says, “ The discussions are peppered with some interesting topics like mythological stories of the constellations, practical use of astronomy in our daily lives, the origin of calendars and how our festivals dates are decided. The best thing about our sessions is that no prior knowledge about astronomy is required. We start with basics and avoid heavy technical stuff.”
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My nine-year-old twins love going for stargazing trips. We started taking them when they were very young and now they read up about the constellations on their own
– Kanan Mehta, banking professional
I regularly go for stargazing. Lying down and looking at the stars has been a transformative experience for me. The vastness of the universe makes you realise how small you really are in the scheme of things
– Tahira Mehra, media professional
Aaditya and his partner Mansi made stargazing possible in the heart of bustling Mumbai! My Grade 3 students were studying the Solar System in depth and I reached out. They set up an incredible session right on a terrace in South Mumbai—perfect for young kids who couldn’t travel far or stay overnight. With their telescope and vast knowledge of planets, stars, and other celestial bodies, Mansi and Aaditya captivated the students.
– Sarah Asda, teacher
