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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 from Stellarium showing the all the planets along the ecliptic in order
My Very Excellent Mother Just Served…

June 4, 2022

Watch a parade of planets in the order of their orbits around the Sun before dawn. Remember the mnemonic? My Very Excellent Mother Just Served… All are visible without optical aid! It’s been about 100 years since this happened and it won't happen again until 2041. So, enjoy the especially...

Read more about My Very Excellent Mother Just Served…

Graphic from Stellarium showing Jupiter and Mars touching and Venus to the lower left and Saturn to the upper right
Jupiter and Mars conjunction

May 29, 2022

Catch the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus about a month ago? You're in for a treat again on Sunday, May 29th before dawn when Mars joins the action, along with Jupiter. The two planets are slightly more than 1/2 degree apart (1 full moon width). Saturn and Venus are still...

Read more about Jupiter and Mars conjunction

Diagram of the eclipse showing the entire duration of the moon's path through the earth's shadow
Total Lunar Eclipse

May 15, 2022

Watch a Total Lunar Eclipse on May 15th when the Sun, Moon and Earth line up to create this magnificent sight! The duration of the eclipse, from start to finish, will be almost 5 hours. Totality will last 1 hour, 24 minutes, 52 seconds. Here are more details: Moonrise: May...

Read more about Total Lunar Eclipse

Graphic showing different birds with stars and lines that look like constellations against a blue background
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day!

May 14, 2022

Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day on May 14th by dimming or turning off your lights at nighttime! Learn more about the impact of light pollution on migratory birds and other species, plus what organizations and people are doing to help. Interactive Audubon Migratory Bird Initiative Map Dim the Lights for...

Read more about Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day!

Graphic from Stellarium showing Jupiter and Venus in eastern sky inset shows the view through a telescope
Brightest Planets

April 30, 2022

On April 30th, shortly before dawn, grab your telescope to see the 2 brightest planets — Jupiter and Venus, in the same field of view! These brilliant planets are less than 1/2 degree apart (1 full moon width). Graphic credit: Stellarium

Read more about Brightest Planets

Graphic from meteorshowers.org of solar system and comet orbit along with an inset of the constellation lyra and the radiant
Lyrid meteor shower

April 21, 2022

Celebrate springtime with the Lyrid meteor shower! No equipment or experience necessary. Just find a dark sky, bring a buddy & dress warm. The best times to view the meteor shower will be: Thursday night - 11pm until moonrise at approximately 2am Friday night - 11pm until moonrise at approximately...

Read more about Lyrid meteor shower

Graphic from Stellarium showing the four planets (Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn) in a line in the east
Four Planets in Line

April 15, 2022

Early risers on Saturday morning will be treated to a line of 4 planets 45 minutes before sunrise. And, night owls can watch the Full Moon all night long, rising at sunset and setting at dawn on Sunday. There’s always something to enjoy! Graphic credit: Stellarium

Read more about Four Planets in Line

Graphic from Stellarium showing Venus, Saturn and Mars in the early morning sky
Triangle of Planets at Dawn

March 25, 2022

Check out a compact triangle of planets rising in the east tomorrow morning shortly before dawn (6:15am MDT). Venus will be the brightest planet visible. Dimmer Saturn will be to the lower left and reddish Mars off to the right. Graphic credit: Stellarium

Read more about Triangle of Planets at Dawn

Photo of purple crocuses in the snow
The Spring Equinox

March 20, 2022

Celebrate the Spring Equinox at Fiske with a Colorado Skies talk on March 20 at 1pm! Learn more about why the Sun rises due east and sets due west on the equinoxes, plus why day and night are approximately equal in length. We'll also explore the spring constellations and let...

Read more about The Spring Equinox

Photo of a full moon rising amidst the clouds in March 2020
Full Moon

March 17, 2022

Watch the last full Moon of the winter season rise in the east tonight at about 7:45pm MDT. Send us your pictures ! Photo credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Read more about Full Moon

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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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