Celebrating 100 Stellar Posts on AstroTours.org

Hello, stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts!

AstroTours.org has always been dedicated to connecting people with the wonders of the universe, and today, we have a special reason to celebrate. We've just hit a significant milestone—our 100th blog post!

With a medley of topics ranging from celestial events to company announcements, we've consistently worked to provide our community with valuable, enlightening, and engaging content. Let’s walk down the memory lane and highlight some of the key posts that have shaped our journey. 1. Cosmic Events and Celestial Bodies

• "How to Witness the 2023 Perseids Meteor Shower": Guiding enthusiasts on one of the most anticipated meteor showers.

• "Starting August with a Spectacular Super Moon": Celebrating those perfect nights under the shimmering stars.

• "The Dance of Venus: A Stargazer's Guide" and "Venus Needs Our Help: Support NASA's VERITAS Mission": Diving deep into the allure of our sister planet.

• "The Moon: Earth's Loyal Companion": Reflecting on the significance of our own natural satellite.

• "Kessler Syndrome: When Space Junk Spirals out of Control": Addressing a rising concern about space sustainability.

2. Celebrating Milestones and Announcements

• "AstroTours.org now has over 1000 5 star reviews!": A testament to our commitment to stellar experiences.

• "AstroTours.org Announces Price Increase for Summer Months": Keeping our community informed of important changes.

• "Winner of the 2022 Boulder Award" and "2022 Cultural Tour Company of the Year Award Winner": Celebrating accolades that recognize our dedication.

3. Tours, Events, and Community Initiatives

• "New Moon Donation Astronomy Tour in Winter Park": Marrying our love for the skies with charitable efforts.

• "AstroTours.org on HGTV!": Bringing the wonders of space to broader audiences.

• "Navigating the Northern hemisphere": Offering guidance to our stargazers in the top half of the world.

4. Thoughtful Reflections and Insights

• "The Astrotours Curse": Delving into the mysteries and myths of our universe.

• "Light Pollution": Shedding light on an issue that dims our view of the cosmos.

• "Black Lives Matter" and "COVID-19": Addressing critical global issues, proving that while we look to the stars, our feet are firmly planted on Earth.

From "Introduction to the series" in 2018, our debut post that set the tone for our blogging journey, to the latest insights on the Perseids Meteor Shower in 2023, we've come a long way. A massive thank you to each and every one of our readers, followers, and stargazing enthusiasts who have been a part of this incredible journey. As we commemorate this milestone, we promise that the next 100 posts will be just as enlightening, intriguing, and awe-inspiring as the last. Clear skies and happy stargazing! 🌌🔭🌠

How to Witness the 2023 Perseids Meteor Shower

The celestial spectacle of the Perseids meteor shower is almost upon us! Whether you’re planning a solo observation or want to make it an outing with friends, this guide has you covered. And if you'd rather have an expert guide, join Astrotours during the peak on Aug 12th, Aug 13th, and Aug 14th (Just Book at AstroTours.org/book). Get a detailed and immersive experience through a telescope, making your night unforgettable.

In a nutshell: Plan = when?, where?, & how?

#1 - When? The best time to catch this meteor shower is from August 7th to the 15th, especially between 11 pm and 3 am. The peak is anticipated to be on the night of August 13th, but remember, the Perseids offer a generous window to witness their beauty.

#2 - Where? You could start in your backyard or, for an enhanced experience, locate the darkest place near you using this light pollution map. Additionally, always check the weather forecast at weather.gov to ensure you have a cloud-free night.

#3 - How? Maximize your viewing experience by:

1. Switching off all lights and allowing your eyes to adapt to the darkness for about 20 minutes.

2. Lying on your back to broaden your field of view. Consider a public park and lay on a picnic blanket in a pitch-dark grassy field.
   

Essentials for your stargazing night:

• A comfortable surface (picnic blanket, trampoline, hammock, sleeping pad, rug, air mattress, etc.)

• Your keen eyes

Optional but helpful:

• Bug spray

• Warm clothing

• Sky map app on your smartphone

• Binoculars

• Telescope

The Perseids are a result of Earth's journey through the debris trail of Comet Swift-Tuttle. The "shooting stars" or meteors we see are essentially the electrification of the atmosphere as this debris burns up upon entering. The peak, while notable, shouldn’t be your sole focus. The broader window from Aug 7th to the 15th provides ample opportunity for a delightful display.

Given the Earth's rotation, the most favorable time to view meteors is later at night or during the early hours, typically around 2 am. This is when you’re facing the direction of Earth’s orbit around the sun. A significant advantage this year is the reduced moonlight due to just 10% illumination, enhancing visibility even in the early evening.

When picking a spot, prioritize darkness and an expansive view of the sky. Localities like Cherry Creek State Park or the Rocky Mountain Arsenal offer impressive darkness while being conveniently close. while mountian passes like loveland pass will be very dark but a bit further away. The ultimate aim? A magnificent view of the night sky, uninterrupted by trees, hills, or light pollution.

For the best chances, recline to get a panoramic view of the heavens. The radiant point for the Perseids is the constellation Perseus, but meteors can appear all over the sky. Ensure to lay in complete darkness for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow your eyes to fully adjust. On a good night, expect to see around 100 meteors every hour!

Bonus sightings to add to your stargazing list:

• The Big Dipper in the northwestern sky

• A crescent moon visible just before sun rise around the peak dates

• Saturn in the eastern sky a few hours after sunset, which will be spectacular in binoculars or a telescope especially since it's at 'opposition' later in August

• Jupiter, appearing pre-sunrise and dominating the eastern sky around 1 am. Its bright moons are visible with basic equipment

• The Milky Way, a clear band in very dark locations, prominent in the high eastern sky around 11 pm

• Various stars and constellations identified using a sky map app. But use sparingly to preserve your night vision.

For a detailed, telescopic experience of all these celestial wonders and more, book a spot with Astrotours during the meteor shower peak. Reserve your spot here.

Starting August with a Spectacular Super Moon: A Night Under the Stars

August is kicking off with a celestial treat that promises to light up the night sky. Tonight, August 1st, a brilliant full supermoon will grace the skies, and it's one of the two brightest supermoons of the year according to NASA. The stage is set here in Colorado, and we're all eager to witness this fascinating phenomenon.

NASA image showing comparison of a supermoon (left) and a micromoon (right)

What is a Super Moon, Anyway?

The concept of a "super moon" might remind us of the significant contributions made by astronomer Johann Kepler in 1609. By refining the Sun-centered (heliocentric) solar system model, Kepler mathematically demonstrated that planets, including Earth, orbit the Sun in ellipses rather than perfect circles.

This elliptical path means that our distance from celestial bodies like the Sun and the Moon varies at different points in our orbit. A supermoon occurs when the Moon is at the point in its elliptical orbit that brings it closest to Earth. This closer proximity causes the Moon to appear larger and more luminous than a regular full Moon.

For those in Colorado's Mountain Time zone, the peak illumination of tonight's supermoon will be at 12:32 p.m. While it might be hyped as a big deal, it's worth noting that the differences between a supermoon and a regular full Moon might not be that stark to the naked eye.

Tonight's Super Moon and What to Expect

Known as the Sturgeon Moon, tonight's full supermoon is named for the time of year when the giant sturgeon fish was once abundant in the Great Lakes. It's one of the brightest supermoons of 2023 and heralds the start of a remarkable month for stargazing.

Though it's talked up in the media as being a significant event, the difference between the supermoon and a normal moon might not be instantly recognizable. It’s much like a "super-er Moon," a term coined to emphasize that the spectacle might be more subtle than sensational.

Mark Your Calendars: A Double Feature

August is delivering not one but two supermoons. The second will occur on Wednesday, August 30, and it's already touted as the 2023 supermoon showstopper. This Blue Moon, referred to as the second full moon in a calendar month, will be the closest, biggest, and brightest moon to Earth this year.

Join Us Under the Stars

AstroTours invites you to join us in experiencing the supermoon magic. Whether you're an avid astronomer or a curious skygazer, there's something captivating about the night sky that draws us all in.

As we welcome August with the brilliance of the supermoon, we're reminded once again of the incredible cosmos and our place within it. Here's to clear skies and a moonlit night that inspires wonder.

Grab your telescope, gather your friends and family, and let's explore the cosmos together. Happy supermoon watching! 🌕

Book a tour with AstroTours and don't miss out on the celestial events that this exciting month has to offer.

#AstroTours #SuperMoon #Stargazing #CelestialWonders #ColoradoSkies #OnceInABlueMoon