ESTES PARK OBSERVATORY SCHEDULING CALENDAR
Starting in April, we will host observatory visits four nights a week (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday). The observatory will be closed two days before and the night of the full moon due to the brightness. All observatory visits and stargazing sessions are weather-dependent, and cancellations may occur on short notice. Reservations will only be taken three months in advance through September 2023 (TBD). 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 people limit. Then you need to answer the following questions then email 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?
Your request will be processed via email in the order received.
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
The 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
The observatory open house nights are conducted by volunteers of the EPMO and are free to all . 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, 8:30 pm
- Saturday, July 29th, 2023, 8:30 pm
- Saturday, August 24nd, 2023, 8:30 pm
Rocky Mountain National Park Astronomy Programs
Rocky Mountain National Park Astronomy Link
Observe 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.
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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.
Estes Park Clear Sky Chart
Estes Park Sky Map (SkyMaps.com)