Dark Skies & Deep Space: Andromeda Rising

As summer gives way to fall, the night sky begins its seasonal transition. The Milky Way slowly fades into the western horizon, while new celestial sights rise in the east, including one of the most remarkable objects visible to the naked eye: the Andromeda Galaxy. 

Join OSMP staff and partners from the Longmont Astronomical Society, DarkSky Colorado, and the Fiske Planetarium for an evening of guided stargazing beneath Boulder’s dark skies. 

Together, we’ll discover:

• The Milky Way fading in the west as summer constellations set
• The rising Andromeda Galaxy, our nearest large galactic neighbor  
• The constellations Pegasus and Andromeda and how to find them  
• Bright planets like Saturn 
• Telescopes are provided. Friends and family welcome - all ages and experience levels encouraged.

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 skywatching more comfortable
• Water and snacks – Stargazing is better when you’re hydrated and happy 
• Binoculars – Many star clusters and bright objects look great with small optics 
• Please leave dogs at home