Stargazing Winter Park

AstroTours.org has been excited to be in Winter Park to provide an out of this world astronomy experiences under Winter Park's exceptionally dark skies! Due to Winter Park's high elevation and lack of light pollution Winter Park is a stellar spot for astronomy.

The Milky Way above Mary Jane

We provide many astronomy experiences in Winter Park:

Private Programs:

AstroTours.org provides private programs and can provide an extra flair to your event in and around Winter Park at your location (in Empire, Winter Park, Grandby, and beyond). We have a portable observatory that can be set up anywhere. We can meet you in the driveway of your Airbnb for a private family program or set up at any event space. Company picnics, weddings, birthdays. Whatever your event may be our services can be hired out. AstroTours.org can add a side of astronomy to your event or be the main event with a private tour.

Stargazing Tabernash, An astronomy program set up in the drive way of an AirBnB in Tabernash

All Private events are unique therefore the service is built to fit the event. Please contact us at: Luke@AstroTours.org, (303).324.5831 or by clicking here to inquire about how Elevated Astronomy Tours might work for your event.

Winter Park Observatory, Stargazing at the top of the gondola at Winter Park Resort :

https://www.winterparkresort.com/things-to-do/wpguides#/experiences/29e6dfba-7330-456f-9d87-4afd3ceda505

An educational astronomy program for all ages located at the top of the Winter Park Resort Gondola. Tours start at sunset and last for 2 hours. The show explores the night sky with several large telescopes and a laser pointer. We will see and learn about planets, constellations, navigation, satellites, nebula, clusters, galaxies, maybe some shooting stars (if lucky), and our universe. Through telescopes we will get up close looks at these objects and take in their beauty with our own eyes. The tour takes place at the top of the gondola in winter park (small ~100yard walk required, snowshoes available upon request) where phenomenal sunsets and wildlife are often seen. Guests are provided with a red flashlight, comfy seating, and hot coco. Guests are encouraged to bring questions, wonderment, and warm clothing (it will get cold after sunset). Please be aware of weather, tour is subject to cancellation if it is too cloudy to see any stars.

Moon rise at the Observatory at the top of Winter Park

For General Information and to ask about private events at Winter Park feel free to reach out to Winter Park here: Email: WPGuides@WinterParkResort.com or wpinfo@winterparkresort.com or Guest Services - 970.726.5514

Stargazing Devil's Thumb Ranch

We host private star parties at Devil's Thumb Ranch and are currently working to expand to have regular programs there as well.

Job Posting Fall 22

Seeking Tour Guides - Join the AstroTours.org team

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 Fall/winter 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 Fall/Winter,

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

• And any questions you might have.

Important dates for stargazing this fall 2022

Aug. 14: Saturn at opposition (closest Earth will be to Saturn, we will be looking at Saturn on all tours for the next few months!)

Aug. 27: New moon

Aug. 27: Best time to see Mercury at sunset (Mercury will be furthest away from the sun)

Sept. 10: Full moon (Harvest Moon)

Sept. 10: Neptune at opposition (closest Earth will be to Neptune)

Sept. 22: Fall Equinox

Sept. 25: New moon

Sep. 26: Jupiter at opposition (closest Earth will be to Jupiter, we will be looking at Jupiter on all tours for the next few months!))

Oct. 7: Draconids Meteor Shower (10 per hr)

Oct. 8: best time to see Mercury before sunrise (Mercury will be furthest away from the sun)

Oct. 9: full moon (hunter's moon)

Oct. 21: Orionids Meteor Shower (20 per hr, a personal favorite fewer meteors than most showers but bigger and brighter meteors)

Oct. 25: new moon

Oct. 25: partial solar eclipse visible in the arctic ocean

Nov. 4: Taurids Meteor Shower (~10 per hr)

Nov. 8: Full Moon (beaver moon)

Nov. 8: Total lunar eclipse visible in the morning sky across most America. (see "lunar eclipse" in the Whats up this Fall! post below)

Nov. 17: Leonids Meteor Shower. (15 per hr)

Nov. 23: New moon

Dec. 8: Full moon (cold moon)

Dec. 8: Mars at opposition (closest Earth will be to Mars, see "Mars" below)

Dec. 13: Geminids Meteor Shower. (120 per hr)

Dec. 21: Winter Solstice

Dec. 21: Best time to see Mercury at sunset (Mercury will be furthest away from the sun)

Dec. 21: Ursids Meteor Shower. (10 per hr)

Dec. 23: New moon

Come see these events and more with us at AstroTours.org/Booking