Join AstroTours.org for a Special Night Under the Moon!

This October, we're inviting you to look up and join a global celebration! AstroTours.org is thrilled to participate in International Observe the Moon Night on Friday, October 4th. For this one special evening, we’ll be running our classic, highly-rated stargazing tour with an extra special focus on our closest celestial neighbor: the Moon.

What is International Observe the Moon Night?

International Observe the Moon Night is a worldwide annual event that brings people together to celebrate and learn about the Moon. Sponsored by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission and other astronomical organizations, the goal is: to encourage observation, appreciation, and understanding of the Moon and its connection to planetary science. On this night, thousands of people across the globe; universities, observatories, parks, and backyards, will all be turning their eyes and telescopes toward the lunar surface. We are proud to be an official event host for this fantastic celebration.

A Classic Tour with a Lunar Twist

If you’ve been on our tour before, you know what to expect: a magical two-hour journey through the cosmos. If you're new to AstroTours.org, you’re in for a treat!

Our tours take place at the beautiful and easy-to-find Boulder Valley Ranch trailhead, where you can often catch phenomenal sunsets and wildlife before the stars appear. Here’s what the evening includes:

• Guided Exploration: A professional astronomer will be your guide, using a laser pointer to chart a course through the constellations, sharing folklore, and answering all your cosmic questions.

• Powerful Telescopes: You’ll get hands-on time with our large, high-quality telescopes for breathtaking, up-close views of planets, nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, and more.

• Comfort and Safety: We’ve got you covered. We provide comfy camp seating, red flashlights, blankets, and step stools. Our tours require no hiking and are accessible to all activity levels.

• An Unforgettable Experience: Learn how to find objects in the sky, how to use a telescope, and deepen your understanding of the universe around you.

On October 4th, we will be doing all of this and more. We will dedicate extra time to observing the Moon through our powerful telescopes. The date for International Observe the Moon Night is specifically chosen to provide the best viewing conditions, where the shadows along the terminator (the line between lunar day and night) reveal incredible detail in craters, mountains, and the vast lunar seas, or maria. Our astronomer will guide you across the lunar landscape, sharing fascinating insights about its topography and history.

Book Your Spot for This One-Night-Only Event!

Join us as we connect with people around the world in celebrating the wonder of the Moon.

Space is limited, and booking is required for this special one-night-only event.

Date: Friday, October 4th, 2025

Time: Tour begins at sunset and lasts for 2 hours.

Location: Boulder Valley Ranch Trailhead

Ready to explore the Moon with us? Book your spot now!

Click Here to Book Your International Observe the Moon Night Tour

We can't wait to share the cosmos with you!

Witness Saturn's 2025 Opposition in Colorado

Get ready, Colorado! One of the most breathtaking events in the night sky is happening this year. On September 21, 2025, Saturn will reach opposition, the point in its orbit where it's closest to Earth. This means the ringed planet will be at its biggest, brightest, and most beautiful for the entire year. But 2025 offers a celestial view that we haven't seen in over a decade and won't see again until 2038: the rings will be almost perfectly edge-on from our perspective, making them seem to disappear!

The Case of the Disappearing Rings

Just like Earth, Saturn has seasons, but its year is much longer—about 29.5 Earth years. As it orbits the sun, our viewing angle of its magnificent rings changes. In 2025, Saturn is approaching its equinox. This means we'll see the rings, which are astonishingly thin (less than a kilometer thick), as a razor-thin line of light.

This rare alignment gives us a chance to experience the same confusion that baffled the great astronomer Galileo Galilei in the 1600s. When he first observed Saturn, he saw what he thought were two large moons on either side of the planet. When he looked again later, after Saturn had moved into its equinox, they were gone! Knowing the Greek myth of Saturn (Kronos) eating his children, Galileo jokingly wondered if the planet had devoured its own moons. We now know he was just seeing the rings edge-on. This September, you can relive that historic moment of discovery for yourself!

How to See Saturn at Opposition in Colorado

Seeing Saturn in 2025 is easy, and you won't want to miss it.

• When to Look: The night of Sunday, September 21st, 2025, is the peak of the opposition. Saturn will rise in the east around sunset and be visible all night long, reaching its highest point in the southern sky around midnight. The entire week surrounding this date offers fantastic viewing opportunities.

• How to Find It: You won't need a map to find Saturn. It will be the brightest "star" in the constellation Aquarius, shining with a steady, yellowish light that doesn't twinkle like distant stars.

• What to Expect: Through a good pair of binoculars or a small telescope, you'll be able to see the planet as a distinct orb with a thin line passing through it—the nearly invisible rings! You might also spot its largest moon, Titan, as a small point of light nearby. Seeing the planet without its famous, wide-open rings is a truly unique experience.

Join Us for a Ringside Seat! 🪐

Witnessing this event through a powerful telescope is an unforgettable "oh wow!" moment. At AstroTours.org, we're running special Saturn-viewing programs all week to celebrate.

To make sure you get the best view, we recommend booking your tour for Wednesday, September 17th. Why? Colorado's mountain weather can be unpredictable. Booking for the 17th gives you a perfect backup plan; if we get clouded out, you can easily join our tours on Thursday the 18th. We also have viewing programs available on Saturday the 20th and Wednesday the 24th.

Don't miss your chance to see Saturn like never before. Spaces fill up fast for events like this, so be sure to book your spot today!

Book your tour now at AstroTours.org/book!

Fun Facts About the Gas Giant

While you wait for the big night, here are a few amazing facts about our solar system's jeweled planet:

• It's a Lightweight Giant: Saturn is the second-largest planet but the least dense. It's the only planet in our solar system that would float in water (if you could find a bathtub big enough!).

• King of the Moons: Saturn has a staggering 146 confirmed moons, more than any other planet in our solar system.

• Wicked Winds: The winds in Saturn's upper atmosphere can reach speeds of up to 1,800 kilometers per hour (1,118 mph).

• A Familiar Name: Have you ever wondered where we get the name for the best day of the week? It comes from Saturn's Day... Saturday!

This year's opposition is a special one. Don't let it pass you by! Join us to marvel at the splendor of Saturn and its disappearing rings.

Job Posting Fall 2025

AstroTours.org, a local astronomy tour business operating out of Boulder, Colorado, is seeking tour guides to join their team for the fall going into the busy 2026 summer season. As a tour guide, you will be responsible for leading tours starting at sunset and lasting for approximately 2 hours, with shifts lasting 4 to 6 hours to allow for adequate preparation and clean-up time.

Must-have qualifications:

• Reliability

• Some familiarity with astronomy and the use of telescopes (training will be provided)

• Valid driver's license and experience driving in the mountains at night

• Ability to lift 65lbs

• Confidence speaking in front of an audience

• Enjoyment communicating complex ideas to people from around the world

Additional qualifications that would make you stand out:

• Knowledge of astronomy folklore, such as mythology, astrology, indigenous star names, etc.

• Safety experience, including CPR and First Aid

• Knowledge of Colorado nature, flora, fauna, geology, geography, and history

• Travel or tour guiding experience

If you meet the above qualifications, please send an email to Coda@AstroTours.org with:

1. "Job Posting" in the subject line.

2. Attached CV or resume.

3. In the body of the email please include:

   • A brief bio highlighting your astronomy skills and experience

   • Your availability for Fall / Winter 2025

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

   • Any questions you may have.