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Continuing our journey through the night sky, after exploring Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, it’s time to turn our telescopes to Uranus—the enigmatic blue-green world with a unique tilt, fascinating m…
Continuing our journ…
Continuing our journey through the night sky, after exploring Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, it’s time to turn our telescopes to Uranus—the enigmatic blue-green world with a unique tilt, fascinating mythology, and a quirky history. A Planet Named George? Uranus has one of the most peculiar naming stories in the solar system. Discovered in 1781 by William Herschel, it was the first planet identified with the aid of a telescope. Initially, Herschel wanted to name it "Georgium Sidus" (George's Star) in honor of King George III. While this name was well-received in Britain, it faced push…
Luke Huxley
January 22, 2025
In my recent articles on Mars and Jupiter, we explored two planets that capture the imagination for their unique features and roles in human history. Now, let’s turn our attention to Saturn—the ce…
In my recent article…
In my recent articles on Mars and Jupiter, we explored two planets that capture the imagination for their unique features and roles in human history. Now, let’s turn our attention to Saturn—the celestial showstopper with its iconic rings, fascinating moons, and rich mythology. Over the next few weeks, I’ll continue spotlighting the planets in our night sky, so stay tuned! Saturn’s Rings: Beauty on Borrowed Time Saturn’s rings are among the most iconic features in the solar system, but their days are numbered. These icy marvels, composed of particles ranging from the size …
Luke Huxley
January 17, 2025
When days grow shorter and the Rocky Mountains don a fresh coat of snow, Boulder’s winter sky truly shines. Many people shy away from stargazing in the cold, but winter nights bring some of the clea…
When days grow short…
When days grow shorter and the Rocky Mountains don a fresh coat of snow, Boulder’s winter sky truly shines. Many people shy away from stargazing in the cold, but winter nights bring some of the clearest, brightest views of the cosmos — and with the sun setting so early you don’t have to stay up until midnight to enjoy them! So, bundle up, grab a warm drink, and let’s explore why winter might just be the best stargazing season of the year. 1. Earlier Nights, Easier Evenings One obvious perk of winter astronomy is that darkness falls sooner. While summer stargazers often have to wait u…
Luke Huxley
January 12, 2025
In a recent article about Mars at opposition, I mentioned Jupiter in passing without proper introduction. To remedy this, let’s take a closer look at the largest planet in our solar system. Over the…
In a recent article …
In a recent article about Mars at opposition, I mentioned Jupiter in passing without proper introduction. To remedy this, let’s take a closer look at the largest planet in our solar system. Over the next few weeks, I’ll also be spotlighting other planets visible in the night sky, providing a comprehensive tour of our celestial neighborhood. If you missed my Mars article, you can read it here. Jupiter: The Solar System’s Behemoth Jupiter is the colossus of our solar system, boasting a diameter 11.6 times larger than Earth’s—spanning 86,881 miles. Its sheer volume could house…
Luke Huxley
January 9, 2025
In the eastern sky, there’s a bright, distinctly red point of light that emerges soon after sunset. You’ve probably guessed it—it’s Mars! This year, Mars is particularly bright for good reason…
In the eastern sky, …
In the eastern sky, there’s a bright, distinctly red point of light that emerges soon after sunset. You’ve probably guessed it—it’s Mars! This year, Mars is particularly bright for good reason. On January 16, 2025, it will reach opposition, the best time to see it in over three years. What is Opposition? Opposition happens when Mars, Earth, and the Sun align, with Earth in the middle. This means Mars rises in the east as the Sun sets in the west, staying visible all night long. During opposition, Earth is closer to Mars than at almost any other time, making the Red Planet a…
Luke Huxley
January 7, 2025
As the year winds down and holiday festivities ramp up, the night sky is preparing its own dazzling displays. December 2024 promises brilliant planetary sightings, meteor showers, and special opportun…
As the year winds do…
As the year winds down and holiday festivities ramp up, the night sky is preparing its own dazzling displays. December 2024 promises brilliant planetary sightings, meteor showers, and special opportunities to catch the Moon playing “hide and seek” with neighboring celestial bodies. Whether you’re watching from your backyard, gathering virtually with family, or venturing to a star party, you’ll find plenty of reasons to look up. This guide will help you and your loved ones connect under the same cosmic canopy—no matter where you are in the world. (Want to know more about my per…
Luke Huxley
December 6, 2024
Hey there, I'm Luke! I'm so glad you're here on About Boulder reading about my journey. As someone with a degree in astrophysics from CU and over 13 years of experience in educational astronomy, I've …
Hey there, I'm Luke!…
Hey there, I'm Luke! I'm so glad you're here on About Boulder reading about my journey. As someone with a degree in astrophysics from CU and over 13 years of experience in educational astronomy, I've been running AstroTours.org for over seven years now, sharing the wonders of the night sky with people like you. I was born in Denver, Colorado, and the Rocky Mountains' skies have amazed me my entire life. One of my father's favorite stories from my infancy is when he took me outside on a full moon night. I pointed up at the moon and said, "Ball." He chuckled and said, "Very good, Luke! That…
Luke Huxley
December 3, 2024
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