Dark Skies & Deep Space: Spring Prelude, Venus & The Crescent Moon
Listed by Public Events and Programs
About
Near the eve of the Spring Equinox, a moment of balance when day and night stand nearly equal and the sky shifts from winter toward spring, join OSMP staff and partners from the Longmont Astronomical Society, DarkSky Colorado, and CU’s Fiske Planetarium for an evening of guided stargazing and explore the changing constellations that mark the turning of the seasons.
Together, we’ll discover:
- A beautiful early evening meeting of Venus and the crescent Moon, with possible glimpses of Mercury and Saturn low in the western sky
- The final seasonal appearance of Orion, Sirius, and the Winter Hexagon, before they disappear from evening view until next winter
- The bright twin stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini, high overhead
- The rising stars of spring, including Arcturus, Spica, and Regulus, forming the Spring Triangle
- Deep sky objects revealed by the dark new moon, including the Orion Nebula and the Pleiades star cluster
What to bring:
- Red flashlight or headlamp: Helps preserve night vision (avoid white light)
- Warm layers: Temperatures drop quickly after sunset
- Blanket or camp chair: Makes sky-watching more comfortable
- Water and snacks: Stargazing is better when you’re hydrated and happy
- Binoculars: Many planets and bright objects look great with small optics
- Please leave dogs at home
People
Non-Profit / Community Organization
Recent Impacts
Location
4P39+CCH - Altona, Colorado
The Beech Shelter is located off Neva Access Road. Look for a foldout sign marking where to turn and drive down to the shelter. OSMP staff will be on site to help guide you to the parking area.
Parking is limited at the Beech Shelter. If the lot is full, additional parking is available at the Left Hand Trailhead, about a ¾-mile walk from the shelter.
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