Valerie Stimac
Valerie is the founder and editor of Space Tourism Guide. She grew up in Alaska, has lived across the U.S., and traveled around the world to enjoy the night sky from many different perspectives. Join her on this journey to explore space right here on earth.
Where to See the Apollo Command Modules (Updated for 2023)
Our lunar legacy is more important than ever as we mark the 50th anniversary of mankind's first steps on the moon. Both NASA and private companies now have their sights on the moon. The best way to prepare for these missions is to learn from those missions that have been there before...
15 of the Best Observatories in the U.S. to Visit in 2023
While everyone can enjoy the wonders of the night sky from their backyard or a nearby dark sky destination, there's nothing quite like visiting an observatory. Observatories offer awe-inspiring views of objects in our solar system and deep space.. Often what we can see at these astronomy centers is better than you'll ever see on our own, even if you own a telescope...
11 Must-See Astronomy Events in the January Night Sky (2023)
Happy New Year! As 2023 kicks off, it's a great time to make a resolution: to go stargazing and appreciate the night sky more! While January has fewer night sky events than December 2022, it's still a great chance to start the new year out with some quiet solitude under the stars...
9 Nice Spots for Stargazing in New Hampshire
Whether you're visiting New Hampshire for leaf-peeping in the fall and happen to catch one of that season's many meteor showers or want to plan a summer trip up north out of the region's major cities, New Hampshire is a strong contender for those who love stargazing and seeing a different part of the country...
The 10 Best Places for Stargazing in Birmingham, Alabama
The Western U.S. might get all the glory – and all the certifications – for its dark sky destinations, but most of us don't live in those remote, rural areas where the stars shine so brightly. In fact, an estimated 37% of Americans live in the South, so a good number of folks are trying to see the stars in that part of the country...
11 Things You Need to Know to See the Northern Lights in 2023
Seeing the aurora is on your bucket list, right? Heck – it's one of the most popular bucket list activities in the world! Watching the northern lights dance across an inky black sky dotted with countless stars... It sounds like a dream. But it's real – and it's really possible to see the northern lights...
9 Interesting Winter Solstice Celebrations Around the World
The winter solstice will occur on December 21st, 2022. At this point, the northern hemisphere is tipped away from the sun at the furthest point in our annual orbit. For many of us, it will be a dark and cold day of the year. For others, it's a time of celebration, to mark the beginning of winter or eventual return of the sun – or both...
The 25 Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Winter 2023
It's on every astrotourist's bucket list - and it's one of the most popular bucket list activities for non-space geeks too: see the northern lights. But where should you go if you're trying to see the aurora borealis? Every list on the internet has their own suggestions for the best places to see the northern lights...
How to See the 2022 Geminids Meteor Shower
It’s fast approaching: the meteor shower of the year, when you can see shooting stars streak across the night sky burning up as they enter earth’s atmosphere. That’s right: it’s almost time for the peak of the 2022 Geminids meteor shower...
The 6 Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Greenland
Some destinations are easy to get visit; you need to hop on a plane, get a passport stamp, and enjoy the culture, history, or food you came to experience. When it comes to destinations where you can see the aurora, even some of those are easier to get to than others. It's relatively easy, for example, to visit Iceland or Norway to see the northern lights. Greenland on the other hand? Not as easy...
