Meet AstroTours.org's new tour guide!

I'd like to welcome Victoria to Astro Tours! Victoria has been training with me for the last couple months and has already well surpassed where I was when I first started Astro Tours! Victoria has been working in astrophysics for some time now. Here's her story in her own words:

Hi, I’m Victoria Concepcion and I graduated from CU Boulder with a BA in Astrophysics. I’ve always loved space and I’ve learned a lot from taking undergraduate courses. While at CU, I specifically took interest in planetary sciences and our solar system. Along with AstroTours I’m a research assistant at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics where I research planetary ices and climates. I specifically study the conditions of the poles on Mars and how dust interacts with them. I love sharing my knowledge of the wonders of space with similarly excited people! My favorite thing to show people is the Orion Nebula which is a stellar nursery and one of the brightest nebulae in the night sky. Being able to observe the formation of stars and the early life cycle of those stars is both interesting and amazing. I hope to be able to share my favorite subject with you on our tour!

Orion Nebula

Drug and Alcohol policy

TL;DR: This is a family program and drinking and smoking is not permitted at the sight. Showing up sober is recommended. If you are planning on getting intoxicated prior to the tour being stoned is recommended over being drunk.

This tour takes place at a public trail head operated by Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) as such it is subject to their rules and regulations which regarding drinking and smoking are quoted here:

Consumption and open containers ​of alcohol are prohibited on Open Space and Mountain Parks. Marijuana consumption is prohibited in public, including on OSMP. City ordinance prohibits smoking on OSMP (including the use of electronic smoking devices). Glass containers are prohibited on OSMP land. - https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp-rules-and-regulations

If you plan on doing an activity prior to the tour that might involve you coming to the tour intoxicated be safe. You can get an Uber/lyft to the tour. I will offer my experiences if they help you make your choices: The tour covers astrophysics which can be hard to understand even with a sober mind. People that have come drunk have said they regretted it and get less from the tour. On the other hand people that have come under the influence of marijuana enjoy it more than people that come drunk. where I still feel like being stoned hinders the ability to understand the astrophysical concepts we cover it seems to open the mind up to being able to be amazed by the little things. So while being stoned you might not understand as much what you do understand might seem more impactful.

Anyone that is inebriated to the point of bothering other guests will be asked to leave. This is a family program and intoxication is out of the norm. If you are unable to be mature and respectful we reserve the right to ask you to leave.

Honestly I think the night sky especially in Colorado doesn’t need any enhancement to be awe inspiring so I would always recommend sobriety.

If you or a loved one is having issues with drug use I recommend visiting the Harm Reduction Action Center https://www.harmreductionactioncenter.org/ They have information and facilities for safer drug use and rehabilitation.

Job Posting

Seeking Tour Guides

AstroTours.org is a local astronomy tour business operating out of Boulder Colorado and servicing the surrounding area. AstroTours.org is currently looking for multiple tour guides to help during the busiest spring/summer nights. Tours occur at night starting at sunset and last about 2 hrs. Shifts will be 4 to 6 hours long to give time to prep before, and clean/pack up after the tour.

Must:

Be reliable

Be somewhat familiar with astronomy and using a telescope (training will be provided)

Have a driver's licence, and experience driving in the mountains at night.

Be able to lift 55lbs.

Enjoy communicating complex ideas to people from all over the world.

Definitely highlight if you have any of these skills:

Knowledge of folklore surrounding astronomy such as mythology/astrology/indigenous names of stars/etc...

Safety experience; CPR, First Aid, etc…

Knowledge of Colorado nature/flora/fauna/geology/geography/history

Travel/tour guiding experience

If interested and you meet all of “Musts” please send an email to Luke@AstroTours.org with:

• “Job posting” in the title field of the Email

• CV (or resume) attached

• Include in the body of the email:

• Brief bio highlighting your astronomy skills/experience,

• What availability you will have this spring/summer,

• Your favorite Messier object (or object from any other catalog),

• And any questions you might have.