Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Join us for a captivating Star Party on May 9, 2026, as we gaze upon the vibrant spring skies over the Wet Mountain Valley. This evening, we’ll explore the constellations of Boötes, Virgo, and the rising Hercules. Through telescopes, we’ll focus on brilliant Arcturus in Boötes, the blue-white Spica in Virgo, and the stunning M13, the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules—a sparkling ball of hundreds of thousands of stars. As we look upward, we’ll share the myth of Hercules, the mighty hero who completed twelve impossible labors, forever immortalized among the stars. Whether you're an avid astronomer or a first-time stargazer, this night will offer a memorable journey through the cosmos.

Attendees will be able to observe our pristine night sky thru the lens of the Smokey Jack Observatory’s 14”, state of the art telescope. Additional telescopes will be setup around the Observatory for viewing and one of our trained Star Guides will be pointing out the brightest stars and constellations.

Free and open to the public. No reservations needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Join us for a new special way to view our pristine night skies!

We'll hook up a camera to our state of the art 14” telescope at the Smokey Jack Observatory and take live images to project on a 10 foot outdoor screen from the comfort of our newly built mini amphitheater. You will be able to see full color images with amazing detail of galaxies, star clusters, planetary nebulae, and globular clusters

Please note that there will not be any additional telescopes set up for visual use. And plan to dress warmly for probable cold/chilly weather.

This event is free and open to the public. No reservations needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Have a telescope and don’t know to use it? This is a common frustration with many new astronomers. In response to this issue, we are now offering a Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley exclusive workshop at the Smokey Jack Observatory (SJO) when it is closed during the full Moon phase. This is a new program for us and will likely be a work in progress. 

This workshop is geared for beginners needing help with setting up and using their telescopes.

All attendees will meet on the pad next to the SJO.

Things we can help with are:

• How to properly setup your telescope.

• What eyepieces should I use?

• How to align my telescope?

• Does my telescope even need to be aligned?

• How to collimate a telescope.

• Align the finder scope, red dot finder, or laser.

• How to find things in the night sky.

• What can I expect to see through my telescope.

We are limited in both space and the number of people we can help at any given time. We do ask that you contact us to reserve a spot. If interested, please send us your name, phone number, email, and the number of people who will be with you. We also need to know the make and model of your telescope. Send your information to workshops@darkskiescolorado.org. 

There is no fee for these workshops. However, as a non-profit, we do greatly appreciate any and all donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Join us for a new special way to view our pristine night skies!

We'll hook up a camera to our state of the art 14” telescope at the Smokey Jack Observatory and take live images to project on a 10 foot outdoor screen from the comfort of our newly built mini amphitheater. You will be able to see full color images with amazing detail of galaxies, star clusters, planetary nebulae, and globular clusters

Please note that there will not be any additional telescopes set up for visual use. And plan to dress warmly for probable cold/chilly weather.

This event is free and open to the public. No reservations needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Join us for an enchanting Star Party on June 13, 2026, as we gaze upon the emerging summer skies over the Wet Mountain Valley. This evening, we’ll explore the constellations of Scorpius, Lyra, and Cygnus, part of the rising Summer Triangle. Through telescopes, we’ll focus on red supergiant Antares in Scorpius, the gleaming Vega in Lyra, and the beautiful double star Albireo in Cygnus. As we look upward, we’ll share the myth of Scorpius, the scorpion sent by Gaia to slay Orion, now eternally chasing him across the sky. Whether you're an avid astronomer or a first-time stargazer, this night will offer a memorable journey through the cosmos.

Attendees will be able to observe our pristine night sky thru the lens of the Smokey Jack Observatory’s 14”, state of the art telescope. Additional telescopes will be setup around the Observatory for viewing and one of our trained Star Guides will be pointing out the brightest stars and constellations.

Free and open to the public. No reservations needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Have a telescope and don’t know to use it? This is a common frustration with many new astronomers. In response to this issue, we are now offering a Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley exclusive workshop at the Smokey Jack Observatory (SJO) when it is closed during the full Moon phase. This is a new program for us and will likely be a work in progress. 

This workshop is geared for beginners needing help with setting up and using their telescopes.

All attendees will meet on the pad next to the SJO.

Things we can help with are:

• How to properly setup your telescope.

• What eyepieces should I use?

• How to align my telescope?

• Does my telescope even need to be aligned?

• How to collimate a telescope.

• Align the finder scope, red dot finder, or laser.

• How to find things in the night sky.

• What can I expect to see through my telescope.

We are limited in both space and the number of people we can help at any given time. We do ask that you contact us to reserve a spot. If interested, please send us your name, phone number, email, and the number of people who will be with you. We also need to know the make and model of your telescope. Send your information to workshops@darkskiescolorado.org. 

There is no fee for these workshops. However, as a non-profit, we do greatly appreciate any and all donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Join us for a spectacular Star Party on July 4, 2026, as we gaze upon the rich summer skies over the Wet Mountain Valley. This evening, we’ll explore the constellations of Scorpius, Sagittarius, and Ophiuchus, brimming with Milky Way treasures. Through telescopes, we’ll focus on Antares in Scorpius, the Teapot asterism in Sagittarius, and the open clusters M6 and M7 near Scorpius's tail. As we look upward, we’ll share the myth of Sagittarius, the archer centaur aiming his bow, linked to the healer Ophiuchus holding the serpent. Whether you're an avid astronomer or a first-time stargazer, this night will offer a memorable journey through the cosmos.

Attendees will be able to observe our pristine night sky thru the lens of the Smokey Jack Observatory’s 14”, state of the art telescope. Additional telescopes will be setup around the Observatory for viewing and one of our trained Star Guides will be pointing out the brightest stars and constellations.

Free and open to the public. No reservations needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Have a telescope and don’t know to use it? This is a common frustration with many new astronomers. In response to this issue, we are now offering a Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley exclusive workshop at the Smokey Jack Observatory (SJO) when it is closed during the full Moon phase. This is a new program for us and will likely be a work in progress. 

This workshop is geared for beginners needing help with setting up and using their telescopes.

All attendees will meet on the pad next to the SJO.

Things we can help with are:

• How to properly setup your telescope.

• What eyepieces should I use?

• How to align my telescope?

• Does my telescope even need to be aligned?

• How to collimate a telescope.

• Align the finder scope, red dot finder, or laser.

• How to find things in the night sky.

• What can I expect to see through my telescope.

We are limited in both space and the number of people we can help at any given time. We do ask that you contact us to reserve a spot. If interested, please send us your name, phone number, email, and the number of people who will be with you. We also need to know the make and model of your telescope. Send your information to workshops@darkskiescolorado.org. 

There is no fee for these workshops. However, as a non-profit, we do greatly appreciate any and all donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Join us for a dazzling Star Party on August 8, 2026, as we gaze upon the heart of the summer skies over the Wet Mountain Valley. This evening, we’ll explore the constellations of Lyra, Cygnus, and Aquila—forming the prominent Summer Triangle—with a chance to spot early Perseid meteors streaking overhead. Through telescopes, we’ll focus on bright Vega in Lyra, the elegant Swan of Cygnus with Albireo, and swift Altair in Aquila. As we look upward, we’ll share the myth of Lyra, the lyre of Orpheus whose music charmed beasts and gods alike. Whether you're an avid astronomer or a first-time stargazer, this night will offer a memorable journey through the cosmos.

Attendees will be able to observe our pristine night sky thru the lens of the Smokey Jack Observatory’s 14”, state of the art telescope. Additional telescopes will be setup around the Observatory for viewing and one of our trained Star Guides will be pointing out the brightest stars and constellations.

Free and open to the public. No reservations needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Join us for a new special way to view our pristine night skies!

We'll hook up a camera to our state of the art 14” telescope at the Smokey Jack Observatory and take live images to project on a 10 foot outdoor screen from the comfort of our newly built mini amphitheater. You will be able to see full color images with amazing detail of galaxies, star clusters, planetary nebulae, and globular clusters

Please note that there will not be any additional telescopes set up for visual use. And plan to dress warmly for probable cold/chilly weather.

This event is free and open to the public. No reservations needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Have a telescope and don’t know to use it? This is a common frustration with many new astronomers. In response to this issue, we are now offering a Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley exclusive workshop at the Smokey Jack Observatory (SJO) when it is closed during the full Moon phase. This is a new program for us and will likely be a work in progress. 

This workshop is geared for beginners needing help with setting up and using their telescopes.

All attendees will meet on the pad next to the SJO.

Things we can help with are:

• How to properly setup your telescope.

• What eyepieces should I use?

• How to align my telescope?

• Does my telescope even need to be aligned?

• How to collimate a telescope.

• Align the finder scope, red dot finder, or laser.

• How to find things in the night sky.

• What can I expect to see through my telescope.

We are limited in both space and the number of people we can help at any given time. We do ask that you contact us to reserve a spot. If interested, please send us your name, phone number, email, and the number of people who will be with you. We also need to know the make and model of your telescope. Send your information to workshops@darkskiescolorado.org. 

There is no fee for these workshops. However, as a non-profit, we do greatly appreciate any and all donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Join us for a wondrous Star Party on September 5, 2026, as we gaze upon the transitioning autumn skies over the Wet Mountain Valley. This evening, we’ll explore the constellations of Pegasus, Aquarius, and the charming but faint Delphinus. Through telescopes, we’ll focus on the Great Square of Pegasus, the Water Bearer’s jar in Aquarius, and the globular cluster M15 near Pegasus. As we look upward, we’ll share the myth of Pegasus, the winged horse born from Medusa’s blood, carrying heroes like Bellerophon on epic quests. Whether you're an avid astronomer or a first-time stargazer, this night will offer a memorable journey through the cosmos.

Attendees will be able to observe our pristine night sky thru the lens of the Smokey Jack Observatory’s 14”, state of the art telescope. Additional telescopes will be setup around the Observatory for viewing and one of our trained Star Guides will be pointing out the brightest stars and constellations.

Free and open to the public. No reservations needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Join us for a new special way to view our pristine night skies!

We'll hook up a camera to our state of the art 14” telescope at the Smokey Jack Observatory and take live images to project on a 10 foot outdoor screen from the comfort of our newly built mini amphitheater. You will be able to see full color images with amazing detail of galaxies, star clusters, planetary nebulae, and globular clusters

Please note that there will not be any additional telescopes set up for visual use. And plan to dress warmly for probable cold/chilly weather.

This event is free and open to the public. No reservations needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!

Come join us at Bluff Park in Westcliffe for a free, open to the public, day of viewing the enormous star right above us every day, our Sun aka Sol!

The views of the Sun with our solar telescopes should be particularly interesting in the near term, so please join us for Solar Sessions at Bluff Park! No reservations are required. Sessions begin at 11:00 AM and end at noon.

This special daytime experience utilizes special solar filters and solar telescopes to allow totally safe viewing of the Sun. Our sun is dynamic and may display solar flares, solar prominences and sunspots at any time, or sometimes nothing special at all!

No reservations are needed.

Depending on weather conditions, public events can be cancelled the day of the event. All cancellations will be made at least 2 hours before the event start time the day of the event and our voicemail greeting will be changed to announce the cancellation. In order to obtain cancellation details you can call our phone number, 719-398-1284. We will also post on our X account with any last second changes or updates.

As always, these events are free. However, as a non-profit, we rely exclusively on the generous contributions of our supporters. We do greatly appreciate your tax deductible donations!