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!