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Astronomy

Looking for an astronomy fix? We have you covered.

Interested in stargazing? Visit Sommers-Bausch Observatory (next to Fiske) --- the observatory provides free open houses throughout the year.

Graphic with tulips against a starry night sky with text Colorado Skies: The Spring Equinox 3/19 at 1pm
Celebrate the Spring Equinox

March 20, 2023

The spring equinox falls on March 20th this year. Celebrate by joining us for our Colorado Skies talk on Sunday, March 19th. We'll explore the spring constellations and let you know what celestial beauties are visible.

Read more about Celebrate the Spring Equinox

Graphic from SkySafari with a snowy mountain along the horizon and Venus and Jupiter very close together in the upper left
Conjunction Alert

Feb. 28, 2023

Venus and Jupiter are only 1 degree (2 full moon widths) apart this evening. Find them shortly after sunset and before they set behind the mountains. Graphic credit: SkySafari app

Read more about Conjunction Alert

Graphic from SkySafari showing the horizon with the crescent Moon then Venus above and Jupiter higher above Venus
Western Sky Dazzles

Feb. 21, 2023

Look to the west at sunset to see the seriously thin waxing crescent Moon below sparkly Venus and Jupiter. The SkySafari app shows Neptune to the right of the Moon, but it’ll be tough to pick out in the midst of the glow of sunset. Graphic credit: SkySafari app

Read more about Western Sky Dazzles

Graphic from Stellarium showing the eastern horizon with the full moon rising in the constellation of leo
Full Moon in the Lion

Feb. 5, 2023

The full Moon is in the mouth of the Lion tonight! Look to the east at sunset and watch our nearest celestial neighbor rise with its feline companion. Graphic credit: Stellarium

Read more about Full Moon in the Lion

Graphic of a groundhog in a hole on top of the earth with a starry field in the background
Cross-quarter Day

Feb. 2, 2023

Happy Groundhog Day! Today is a cross-quarter day (fun fact — so is Halloween) meaning we’re half way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. So whether or not Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, astronomically speaking, spring is almost here.

Read more about Cross-quarter Day

Graphic from Stellarium showing a close up of the Moon and Mars amidst the stars of Taurus
Moon and Mars meet up

Jan. 30, 2023

The waxing gibbous Moon is meeting up with Mars tonight. The contrast between their colors should be stunning! Fun fact—Mars is about twice the size of the Moon. However, the Moon is only 240,000 miles away (on average) and Mars is 80 million miles away right now, making it look...

Read more about Moon and Mars meet up

Graphic credit from Stellarium showing the southern horizon with the ecliptic arc and the meridian from south to north.
Celestial Sparkles

Jan. 28, 2023

The sky will be sparkling tonight at dusk! So much to see…start with Saturn and Venus low near the southwestern horizon. Slide up the ecliptic to spot Jupiter. Continue upward to find the Moon about to cross the meridian (and Uranus if you have binos or a telescope). And, finally...

Read more about Celestial Sparkles

Graphic from Stellarium showing the southwestern horizon with trees and the Moon and Jupiter close together
Moon and Jupiter

Jan. 25, 2023

The waxing crescent Moon is hanging out with Jupiter tonight in the southwestern sky. Should be a pretty pairing! Graphic credit: SkySafari app

Read more about Moon and Jupiter

Graphic from Stellarium of the southeastern sky showing the constellation of Scorpius rising above the horizon and the Moon next to the star Antares.
Moon and Antares

Jan. 18, 2023

Winter can feel like a long season, but not to worry! If you’re an early riser, you’ll spot the Moon next to Antares this morning before dawn. Antares is the heart of the Scorpion, one of summer’s most recognizable constellations. The stars rise 4 minutes earlier every day, so rest...

Read more about Moon and Antares

NASA ISS photo of Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Sun in view and limb of Earth. Image Credit NASA/Terry Virts
Earth at Perihelion

Jan. 4, 2023

Our lovely big, blue marble is at its closest point to the Sun this year…a mere 91 million miles away. Happy Perihelion Earthlings! Photo credit: NASA/Terry Virts

Read more about Earth at Perihelion

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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
  • Origin of the Constellations from the International Astronomical Union 
  • 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.

A View from Earth graphic with artistic impression of being in orbit around the Earth

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FISKE PLANETARIUM

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