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We remain CLOSED to the public due to ongoing concerns related to COVID-19. Enjoy our virtual programs, educational resources and sign up to receive updates about our reopening plans.

Astronomy

Fiske is closed in order to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the hopes of keeping our visitors, members, staff, campus, and our broader community safe. We have never felt more connected to our community despite the need for social distancing. 

Until we can come together again, we are committed to providing tons of content to help you get through these arduous times through the grandeur of the universe. Check this page to get your Astronomy Fix! 

Get your Astronomy Fix

Constellation of Leo from Stellarium
Lion in the Grass

March 2, 2021

Have you spotted the Lion lounging on the eastern horizon? The beautiful stars of Algenubi, Rasalas, Adhafera, Algieba, and Regulus outline Leo’s head, mane and front paw, while Zosma and Chertan draw the back and hindleg, and Denebola completes the picture with a fur-tipped tail. If you have a telescope...

Read more about Lion in the Grass

Graphic of the constellation of Taurus with open clusters from Stellarium program
Dazzling Open Clusters

Feb. 23, 2021

Grab your binos and take some time to unwind with the dazzling celestial clusters in Taurus. The Pleiades are high in the eastern sky with the Hyades directly below admist the eyes of the bull. These two clusters have been admired since antiquity. While ever-changing and always in motion, we...

Read more about Dazzling Open Clusters

Artist illustration of Mars Rover mast head
Perseverance Rover Landing

Feb. 16, 2021

NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover is just 2 days from touching down on the Red Planet. The spacecraft launched from Earth on July 30 and has been racing to Mars at almost 50,000mph. Will it find signs of ancient life? Can it collect samples of rock for a future sample return...

Read more about Perseverance Rover Landing

The Winter Hexagon graphic from Stellarium
The Sparkling Winter Sky

Feb. 9, 2021

Step outside after dinner and stand in wonder of the winter sky. You’ll be treated to magnificent display of very bright stars (1st magnitude or brighter) --- more than during any other season. Most are in the winter hexagon visible in the SE after dark. Find more info about this...

Read more about The Sparkling Winter Sky

Photo of a ground hog standing up in green grass
Groundhog Day

Feb. 2, 2021

Ever feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day? Whether Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow or not, the holiday has roots in ancient astronomy. Feb. 2nd is a cross-quarter day, meaning it's half way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. So, find time to celebrate the loops of time...

Read more about Groundhog Day

Screen shot from video of ocean from ISS
Down to Earth: The Astronaut’s Perspective

Jan. 26, 2021

Do you need some cosmic perspective? We certainly do. Our social media team came across this NASA piece - Down to Earth: The Astronaut’s Perspective - and wanted to share it with you. It's a good vibe on this snowy afternoon.

Read more about Down to Earth: The Astronaut’s Perspective

NASA - Astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson in the Cupola onboard the ISS
What's a year?

Jan. 1, 2021

2020 is in our rear view (thank goodness!) and the New Year has just begun, but what is a year anyway? A year is the time it takes our planet to make one orbit around the Sun - about 365 1/4 days. The distance our planet covers as it travels...

Read more about What's a year?

From Sky & Telescope article linked above. This simulated view depicts Jupiter and Saturn through the telescope around 6 p.m. EST December 21st. They won't be this close again until 2080. Despite appearances, Jupiter is 724 million kilometers closer to us than Saturn. North is at upper right. Image credit: Stellarium
The Great Conjunction of 2020

Dec. 21, 2020

Tonight is THE NIGHT! The universe gives us a winter solstice gift with the GREAT CONJUNCTION of Jupiter and Saturn. Binoculars or small telescopes will show both planets along with their largest satellites in the same field of view --- only 0.1 degree apart (6.1 arcminutes). Don't miss this celestial...

Read more about The Great Conjunction of 2020

Photographs of Saturn and Jupiter
Jupiter and Saturn Conjunction!

Dec. 15, 2020

Jupiter and Saturn are getting cozy! We’ve been watching them dance together since early fall. On Monday (12/21), they’ll be in the closest visible conjunction since 1226. Keep watching — they’re putting on quite a show! Read more about the conjunction on the Celestial Objects to Observe column from Sky...

Read more about Jupiter and Saturn Conjunction!

Illustration of a meteor in the sky with trees in the background
Catch a Geminid!

Dec. 10, 2020

Caught a Geminid yet? The Geminid meteor shower is known for its dependability and builds this week reaching its peak on the night of Dec. 13-14 (Sunday evening until dawn Monday). Find a dark spot, make some cocoa, grab your bag, and enjoy the show with a friend! A curious...

Read more about Catch a Geminid!

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More Astronomy Resources

Photo of the Andromeda galaxy by Stephan Abraas Stargate Observatory in Canon City

Astronomy-related websites

Enjoy our favorite astronomy-related websites for up-to-date information on what’s up in the sky, NASA news, beautiful astronomy images, eclipses, satellites, plus more.

  • Astronomy magazine - The Sky this Week
  • Astronomy Picture of the Day - Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe
  • Heavens-Above - Information about artificial satellites, ISS, HST, and Iridium flares
  • International Dark Sky Association - Videos about Light Pollution
  • NASA - News and mission information
  • NASA - eClips: Bringing STEM alive through NASA real-world connections and a Special Edition newsletter for Earth Day
  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory videos - What’s Up, Mars Report, etc.
  • NASA Eclipse Information - Eclipses of the Sun and Moon
  • Sky & Telescope magazine - This Week’s Sky at a Glance
Losing the Dark still image from film of bright sky, trees and buildings

Learn about light pollution

You can learn more about light pollution and how you can help save our starry skies watch "Losing the Dark" from the International Dark Sky Association and Loch Ness Productions. Starry skies are a vanishing treasure because light pollution is washing away our view of the cosmos. It not only threatens astronomy but also disrupts wildlife, and affects human health. The glows over cities and towns — seen so clearly from space — are testament to the billions of dollars spent in wasted energy by lighting up the sky. The video introduces and illustrates some of the issues regarding light pollution and suggests three simple actions people can take to help mitigate it.

To learn more about local efforts to mitigate light pollution check out the Homeowner's Guide to Boulder's Outdoor Lighting Ordinance.

Hubble photo of a galaxy edge on

Got an astro question?

Email us! We'd love to hear from you.

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Fiske Planetarium

  303.492.5002

  fiske@colorado.edu  

  2414 Regent Drive, Boulder, CO 80309

  Find Fiske and parking info: CU Interactive Map

 

 

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