Book A Star Party
Star Party Bookings
Experience the night sky like never before. Using my telescopes and years of hands-on observing, I can show you the Moon, planets, star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae in remarkable detail. Every session is tailored to your group — whether that’s a birthday, a corporate outing, a private gathering, or simply a night out under the stars.
I bring excellent telescopes, along with a PVS-14 night vision device that pulls nebulae out of the sky even when conditions aren’t ideal.
Now booking private events for August, September, November, and December 2026.
Why Book With Me?
I’ve been sharing the night sky for over ten years, with experience through DarkSky Southern Arizona, Telescopicwatch, RFTS, and the Stamford Observatory. Here’s what sets my events apart:
- A genuine, unplugged experience. No computers, no screens — everything is found and tracked by hand at the eyepiece, the way stargazing is meant to be.
- Plenty to see. I’ll guide you through a wide range of objects in a single night, so there’s always something new to look at.
- Fun for all ages. Whether your group is kids, adults, or a mix, the experience stays engaging and easy to enjoy — no background knowledge needed.
- Optional presentation. I can add a short PowerPoint talk to set the scene before you head to the telescopes.
- Dependable skies. Southern Arizona has some of the clearest, darkest skies in the country, which means far fewer weather cancellations than most places.
- Built around you. I’ll work with your venue, schedule, and preferences to shape the right event for your group.
Private Star Parties
Approximate pricing for events local to Tucson, for small groups of 20 or fewer guests:
- $180 — 1 hour
- $300 — 2 hours
- $450 — 3 hours
These are base estimates. Final pricing depends on group size, location, and event specifics. For larger groups or a custom experience, get in touch and we’ll work out the details.
Not sure how long you need? If you mainly want to see the Moon and planets, a shorter session is ideal — those targets are bright, so a dark sky isn’t necessary and even an hour delivers memorable views. For fainter deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae, a longer session away from city lights is worth it.
I’m also happy to travel for events outside the Tucson metro area for an additional cost — Southern Arizona has some of the darkest skies in the country, and I know where to find them.
Stargazing at Mount Lemmon Lodge
On select Saturday evenings, I host stargazing events at the Mount Lemmon Lodge, high in the Santa Catalina Mountains above Tucson. Up there the air is thin, the horizon is high, and the sky is genuinely dark — a completely different experience from observing down in the city.
If you’re staying at the Lodge, it’s a perfect way to spend an evening under a truly dark sky with telescopes and a guide on hand. Check the Lodge’s event calendar for upcoming star party dates.
Telescope Repair & Assistance
Beyond star parties, I also help with telescope repair and setup. Whether your scope needs fixing or you’d like hands-on guidance to get the most out of a night under the stars, I’m available to help — in person if you’re in the Tucson or Phoenix area.
Shopping for a telescope or accessories? I’d recommend starting at telescopicwatch.com for reviews and buying guides, then reaching out if you’d like a second opinion.
Contact me to book a session or ask a question.
Star Party FAQ
What will we actually see?
It depends on the Moon, the season, and your location, but a typical session includes some mix of: the Moon in crater-by-crater detail, planets (Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons are perennial crowd favorites), colorful double stars, star clusters, and — from darker locations — galaxies and nebulae. With my night vision device, nebulae are visible in real time with an amount of detail that surprises even experienced observers. I plan each session around what’s best placed in the sky on your date.
What if we mainly want to see the Moon and planets?
Then a shorter session is your best value — an hour is plenty, and it doesn’t need to be dark-sky conditions. The Moon and planets are bright enough to look spectacular from a backyard in the middle of Tucson. Save the longer, darker-location sessions for when you want galaxies and nebulae.
What happens if it’s cloudy?
Southern Arizona is one of the most reliably clear places in the country, which is why professional observatories cluster here — weather cancellations are far less common than most people expect. If clouds do threaten your date, we’ll reschedule at no charge. I watch the forecast closely in the days leading up to every event and will keep you informed.
Where do star parties happen?
Wherever works for you: your backyard, a park, a resort, a business, or a wedding venue. For deep-sky viewing I can recommend darker locations around Tucson, and I’m willing to travel well outside the metro area for an additional cost.
Is this good for kids?
Absolutely — kids are often the most enthusiastic observers of the night. Everything is hands-on and screen-free, and I adjust the pacing and explanations to the audience. Star parties work well for birthday parties, scout groups, and school events.
How many people can attend?
My standard pricing covers groups of 20 or fewer. Larger groups are welcome — contact me to discuss logistics and pricing, since bigger crowds benefit from longer sessions so everyone gets solid eyepiece time.
How far in advance should I book?
Earlier is better, especially for weekend dates — and note that the Moon phase matters for deep-sky viewing, so if you want galaxies and nebulae, booking around the new Moon is ideal. I can advise on the best dates for your month when you reach out. I’m currently booking for August, September, November, and December 2026.
Do you provide the telescopes?
Yes — I bring everything: telescopes, eyepieces, night vision equipment, and the expertise to run it all. You don’t need to own or know anything about telescopes. If you do own a telescope and want to learn to use it, I offer help and repair services too.