AstroTours Foundation

Real Wonder.

AstroTours.org Foundation is the nonprofit arm of AstroTours.org, created to make astronomy education more accessible, inspiring, and available to everyone.

For years, AstroTours.org has helped thousands of people look through large telescopes, learn the night sky, and experience the universe with professional astronomer guides. Now, through the launch of our 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, we are expanding that mission beyond ticketed tours and private events.

The AstroTours.org Foundation exists to bring hands-on astronomy education to schools, youth programs, community groups, public events, libraries, camps, and people who might not otherwise have access to a telescope, a dark sky, or an astronomer to guide them through the universe.

Our Mission

AstroTours.org Foundation makes astronomy education accessible through public outreach, telescope programs, school visits, community events, and hands-on experiences under the real night sky.

We believe astronomy has a rare power to connect people. Looking at the Moon, Saturn’s rings, a nebula, a star cluster, or a galaxy through a real telescope can change how people see science, nature, and their place in the universe.

Our goal is simple:

Help more people look up.

Why We Created the Foundation

AstroTours.org began as a way to share the universe with the public. Through actual photons that have traveled across space and landed in your eye.

Over time, we saw how powerful that experience could be.

A child sees Saturn for the first time and suddenly science feels real.
A family on vacation shares a quiet moment under the Milky Way.
A classroom learns that the stars are not just “up there,” but part of the same story we are all living in.
A community event becomes a place where people of all ages can gather, ask questions, and feel wonder together.

But we also saw the limits of a traditional tour business. Not every school, student, family, or community group can afford a private astronomy program. Not every person has access to dark skies. Not every child gets the chance to meet a working astronomer.

The foundation was created to change that.

What We Do

Telescope Outreach Programs

We bring professional astronomers and large telescopes to schools, libraries, community events, camps, youth groups, festivals, and public spaces.

Guests can look through real telescopes at objects such as:

The Moon
Saturn and Jupiter
Star clusters
Nebulae
Double stars
Galaxies
The Milky Way
The Sun through safe solar telescopes

Each program is guided by an astronomer who explains what people are seeing in a clear, welcoming, and engaging way.

School and Youth Astronomy Programs

We support hands-on astronomy education for students of all ages.

Programs can include:

Night-sky telescope viewing
Solar telescope observations
Classroom astronomy activities
Scale models of the solar system
Moon phase lessons
Star life cycle demonstrations
Space science Q&A sessions
Career talks about astronomy, science, tourism, and education

Our programs are designed for real people, not just science experts. We make astronomy understandable, memorable, and fun.

Community Stargazing Events

The night sky belongs to everyone.

The foundation helps create public astronomy events where communities can gather, learn, and experience the sky together. These events can be hosted in partnership with towns, parks, libraries, schools, nonprofits, tourism organizations, and community groups.

We especially aim to support events that are free or low-cost for the public.

Access to Dark Skies

Many people have never seen the Milky Way. Many have never looked through a telescope. Some live in areas with heavy light pollution. Others simply have never had the opportunity.

AstroTours.org Foundation works to connect people with dark-sky experiences and to promote appreciation for the night as a natural, cultural, and educational resource.

Dark skies are not just beautiful. They are part of our shared heritage.

Science Communication and Public Education

Astronomy is one of the most powerful entry points into science.

Through storytelling, humor, live demonstrations, and real telescope viewing, we help people understand complex ideas in approachable ways, including:

How stars are born and die
Why the Moon changes shape
What planets are visible in the sky
How telescopes work
How far away stars and galaxies are
What light pollution does to the night sky
How humans fit into the larger story of the universe

We believe science education works best when it feels personal, exciting, and connected to real experience.

Who We Serve

AstroTours.org Foundation is built to serve:

Schools and classrooms
Youth organizations
Libraries
Camps
Community groups
Public events
Rural and underserved communities
Families
Students
People with limited access to science enrichment programs
Anyone who has ever looked up and wondered what is out there

We welcome partnerships with educators, nonprofits, local governments, parks, tourism groups, science organizations, and community leaders.

Support the Foundation

Your support helps us bring the universe to more people.

Donations to AstroTours.org Foundation help fund:

Free and reduced-cost astronomy programs
School visits
Youth education
Community telescope nights
Equipment maintenance and transportation
Astronomer educator stipends
Solar telescope outreach
Educational materials
Programs for underserved groups
Public science events

Donate to AstroTours.org Foundation
click donate at: AstroTours.org/payments

AstroTours.org Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations may be tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Partner With Us

We are looking for partners who want to bring astronomy education to more people.

Partner opportunities include:

Sponsoring a school program
Funding a free public telescope night
Hosting a community stargazing event
Supporting youth astronomy education
Bringing telescopes to a festival or public gathering
Helping expand access to dark-sky experiences
Supporting educational equipment and transportation

If your school, organization, town, library, company, or community group would like to work with us, we would love to hear from you.

Help Us Launch

We are currently building the foundation’s first round of programs, partnerships, and community outreach opportunities.

Your early support will help us launch strong.

Let’s Work Together

Get in touch so we can start working together.