ESTES PARK OBSERVATORY SCHEDULING CALENDAR

Starting  April 1st, 2024, we will recommence private stargazing sessions four nights a week. To secure a spot for the April sessions, you can email reservations starting March 1st. Reservations are limited to visits within a three-month period. If you wish to reserve a date for a visit: First check out the calendar below to see if there are any open dates or dates you can fit into without exceeding the 14-person limit. Then answer the following questions and email them to (info@AngelsAbove.org):

What is the date you wish to book?
What other dates are you available?
How many adults (13 & older)?
How many children (12 & under)?
A phone where you can be reached in Estes?
Where is your hometown?

Also in the subject line of the email, please indicate the number of people and the date for your visit, for example: You want to book three people and your first choice is 9/25 but you’re available 9/24 through 9/26 and you’re leaving on 9/27. Your email subject line would look like this:
Subject  3 people on 9/25, 9/24 – 9/26.
This will make the processing go much quicker. Your request will be processed in the order received and be confirmed or put on the waiting list.  We will always email a confirmation or waiting list notification when we process your request.



 


Look out for these recurring astro events at EPMO and in the Estes Park area.
Click to read more about these events:
– Open House at EPMO –
– Rocky Mountain National Park Astronomy Programs –
– EPMO and EVAS Monthly Meeting –

More Info about Private Viewing Sessions at EPMO

events-private-viewingThe EPMO is available for private viewing sessions (individuals or small groups up to 20). We prefer scheduling such sessions from the form above but many times we have last minute openings. Please call 970-586-5668 to see if you need information about an opening on short notice. The observatory is funded by donations and staffed by unpaid volunteers; contributions for private viewing sessions are greatly appreciated and help keep our doors open. Please allow up to one week for us to get back to you with a confirmation as we coordinate with our staff.


Observatory Open House Nights 

StarNightMeeting2The observatory open house nights are conducted by volunteers of the EPMO and are free to all and no reservations are necessary. The evening starts with a tour of the facility and an introduction to the night’s viewing with a demonstration of the observatory star wall. We discuss objects that we will later view with the telescope and point out their locations on our star wall. Depending on the number of visitors, we may also set up telescopes outside the observatory to supplement the main telescope in the dome. Of course, the viewing is dependent on the night sky and if it is unfavorable we can show educational videos in our warm room.

The Open Viewing Nights for 2023 are:

  • Saturday,  April 29th, 2023, 7:30 pm
  • Saturday,  May 27th, 2023, 7:30 pm
  • Saturday,  June 24th, 2023, 7:30 pm
  • Saturday,  July 29th, 2023, 7:30 pm
  • Saturday,  August 26th, 2023, 7:30 pm

 


Rocky Mountain National Park Astronomy Programs

Rocky Mountain National Park Astronomy Link

events-RMNPObserve the night sky with the help of a park ranger and expert volunteer astronomers. Rocky Mountain National Park offers weekly Astronomy in the Park programs from June through August. A traditional astronomy program is conducted in Upper Beaver Meadows every other week and includes a 20 to 30-minute interpretive presentation by park rangers followed by a night of observing put on by local astronomers and park volunteers. Dress warm, bring binoculars and a flashlight, and meet at the Upper Beaver Meadows Trail-head parking area.

“The 2023 Dates for the Traditional Viewing Program are:”

 

 

  • Friday, June 16 at 8:30 p.m.
  • Friday, June 23 at 8:30 p.m.
  • Friday, July 14 at 8:30 p.m.
  • Friday, July 21 at 8:30 p.m.
  • Friday, August 11 at 8:30 p.m.
  • Friday, August 18 at 8:30 p.m.

 

Every other week,  the “The Story Behind the Moon & the Stars” program will incorporate star lore and activities for families. The program will include a constellation tour and viewing with binoculars, the naked eye, and possibly telescopes. This program will take place at the Moraine Park Visitor Center in the RMNP and will last approximately 1 & 1/2 hours.

Stories Behind the Moon & Stars 2023 Dates

  • Monday, July 24 at 8:30 p.m.
  • Monday, July 31 at 8:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, August 22 at 8:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, August 29 at 8:30 p.m.

Night Sky Festival  Three days of fun activities, speakers, programs, and night sky viewing. The event is scheduled for TBD. Start times for this program have not yet been set.


–>


This month’s EPMO & EVAS  Astronomy Lecture

The Estes Park Memorial Observatory (EPMO) in conjunction with the Estes Valley Astronomical Society (EVAS) holds a joint meeting every month that features a lecture on an astronomy topic followed by a viewing session. The meetings open with a short discussion of the current EVAS business. A short presentation about a star currently visible in the night sky precedes the formal lecture for the evening. Invited speakers who work in the field of astronomy or aerospace generally give the lectures.

StarNightMeeting


Estes Park Clear Sky Chart


Estes Park Sky Map (SkyMaps.com)





What’s Up for August 2023 From NASA JPL