Valerie Stimac
Valerie is the founder and editor of Space Tourism Guide. She decided to start the site after realizing how many friends and family had never seen the Milky Way, and that space tourism was going to unlock the next great travel destination: space!
11 Must-See Astronomy Events in the November Night Sky (2021)
With November, we take steps closer to the solstice. In the northern hemisphere, winter approaches in earnest; in the southern, the sun is welcomed back and temperatures continue to rise. The November night sky this month is also a time of astronomical activity, with active meteor showers, planetary close approaches, and even a few extra astronomical events we don't get every month...
The 14 Best Places to Go Stargazing in Miami
Sandwiched between the alligator-infested swamplands of the Everglades and the Atlantic Ocean, Miami is a slice of culture and vibrant nightlife on Florida's Atlantic coast. With such a narrow geography, the city has become highly developed and stargazing activities are pretty unheard of – even by locals who've called Miami home for years. While it is not easy to see the stars in Miami, it is possible...
How to See the 2021 Orionids Meteor Shower
Orion is one of the most recognizable constellations in the sky, thanks to its bright stars and clear shape. This northern constellation is most visible in the winter months, and goes by the nickname "The Hunter" as the stars' shape appears to point at the neighboring bull, Taurus. Additionally, Orion is home to one of the few nebulae that can be seen with the unaided eye: the Orion Nebula, or Messier 42...
The 17 Best Places to Go Stargazing in Denver
At 5,280ft above sea level, Denver has an obvious advantage when it comes to stargazing: extra elevation means clearer night skies! The capital of Colorado has other advantages that make it a stellar stargazing destination: wild mountains to the west; sweeping plains to the east; and passionate locals who protect and love the outdoors...
How to Plan a Great Basin National Park Stargazing Trip
Some states have all the luck – they have several national parks and pristine night skies above. A few that come to mind are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. But don't overlook Nevada, the neighbor to the west! Nevada is home to just one national park, Great Basin, and it too is an epic stargazing location...
The 11 Best Budget-Friendly Telescopes Under $200
As you get more interested in astronomy, you might find yourself wanting equipment to level up your stargazing experience. After all, while our eyes are great tools for exploring the wonders of the night sky, they're also severely limited. That's why we spend literally billions of dollars to launch space telescopes like Hubble, Spitzer, and Webb... And why people invest in telescopes right here on earth...
13 Astronomy Events in the October Night Sky (2021)
In the northern hemisphere, October evokes thoughts of crunchy leaves, jack-o-lanterns, and yes, even those pumpkin flavored drinks and treats. It also signals a full turning of the seasons; after the equinox in September, we're into aurora season – and it turns out to be meteor season too! This year, the October night sky is going to be a great one...
13 Wonderful Spots for Stargazing in Washington State
When you talk about Washington State, most people think of the same thing: rain. And while it doesn't rain nearly as much as people think – especially in the drier eastern part of the state – the cloud forecast is certainly important as you consider when and where to go stargazing in Washington...
The 13 Best Telescope Eyepieces &
Multi-Eyepiece KitsThere's nothing quite like the feeling of receiving and unboxing a brand new telescope. Whether it's your first one, or an upgrade, it's great to get a piece of equipment that will help reveal the deeper wonders of the night sky. But unfortunately – especially with lower-cost telescopes – most telescopes come with just one or two mediocre eyepieces that limit the true power of your scope...
How to Plan a Haleakalā Stargazing Trip
Hawaii may not have many national parks, but the ones it does have are stunning. On the Big Island, there's Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, one of the most reliably active places to experience volcanic activity and see the scars and changes it leaves behind. Then there's the only other national park in Hawaii, Haleakalā, on the island of Maui....
