Big Sky Astronomy Club

06/02/2026

Here's a few memories from the Cinco de Mayo event that The Big Sky Astronomy Club held at the Glacier Institute in Columbia Falls, MT. A very engaged group from the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) attended the event.

Also a few weeks after the Cinco de Mayo event, club member Mark Paulson provided an educational afternoon to the Montana Hybrid Academy also held at the Glacier Institute. This was focused on general astronomy and the Earth - Sun relationship. Solar telescopes were used to view that sun that afternoon as is came in and out of view between the clouds.

On Thursday June 18th the club will the highlighted non-profit organization at the Columbia Falls Farmers Market. Come find out more about the club and look through solar telescopes to see what is happening on the surface of the Sun and also in its atmosphere. 165 Veteran Dr. Columbia Falls, MT. 5pm - 8pm June 18th

06/02/2026

🌌 June 2026 is going to be a beautiful month for skywatchers.

The biggest highlight is the Venus-Jupiter conjunction on June 8–9, when the two brightest planets will appear extremely close in the western sky after sunset.

Here's your complete guide to the 10 best night sky events of June 2026.
https://sou42.co/jun-2026

05/20/2026

✨🌒 On the evening of May 19, the Moon hangs between Venus and Jupiter in the western sky, and together they reveal something you don't usually see: the ecliptic, the plane of our solar system.

All three objects trace a line from the west-northwest horizon upward, marking the flat disk along which Earth, Venus, Jupiter, and all the other planets orbit the Sun. Venus blazes below at magnitude -3.9. Jupiter shines above at magnitude -1.9. A 15% crescent Moon, earthshine glowing on its dark side, connects them.

🔭 Look west about 45 to 60 minutes after sunset. Venus appears first, even in bright twilight. Jupiter reveals itself as the sky darkens. The crescent Moon connects them. No equipment needed. Binoculars will enhance the earthshine and may pick up one or two of Jupiter's Galilean moons as tiny dots near the planet.

📸 Wide-angle photographs of this scene are stunning. A phone on a tripod with a 3 to 5 second exposure can capture all three objects, the earthshine, and the background stars of Gemini.

05/03/2026

🌟 STAR PARTY 🌟
MAY 5th 7:00PM 7450 US-2 Columbia Falls, Mt.

🌌Join The Glacier Institute and the Big Sky Astronomy Club for an evening full of fun and education at the Glacier Institute Nature Center: 7450 US-2 Columbia Falls, Mt.

Whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned stargazer, there’s something here for you! Bring your friends, bring your family, and come explore the wonders of the universe with us.

🕖May 5th, 2026 - Starting at 7pm - after dark.

Please park in the gravel guest parking lot and shuttle down to the property. Shuttles running from 7-9pm. Viewing area will be in between the ponds on the Glacier Institute's Nature Center property.

🚫**No white-light flashlights**

This helps maintain night vision for all attendees. Bring a red-light flashlight if you have one. Red-light flashlights will also be available for sale.

🌟Pack in, pack out. Dress warm! Please bring your own chairs / blankets, water / snacks.

05/03/2026

It was a busy busy April for the Big Sky Astronomy Club! Our members participated in an Earth Day event at the Flathead Valley Community College on April 18th. We introduced many people to the wonders of our sun using several types of solar telescopes. Many sunspots and solar prominences were visible that day illustrating how active the sun is when its at the peak if its 11 year sunspot cycle! We also showed loads of kids how to build and launch stomp rockets. Using a model solar system set up across the lawn, the kids could see how far out they could send their rocket!

Our April 22nd event with Whitefish Legacy partners had to be cancelled to to rain but we will be rescheduling another event with then in the coming months.

April 24 we led a school and community event for the Creston School District. Over 80 kids participated in activities where they learned about the solar system, gravity, constellations, and comets. All the kids made their own pocket solar systems, constellation viewers and comets, and they got to see how gravity curves space and how to launch planets into orbits!

On April 30 the club ran an event for the Skola School in Whitefish. Kids learned how telescopes work and got to look at the insides of a telescope and then at objects through the telescope. They learned how the phases of the moon and eclipses work in a very hands on activity and they made their own solar systems to bring home and put on their wall.

The club has many more activities lined up for the coming months including our next event at the Glacier Insitute at 7pm on May 5th! So watch this space!!

04/21/2026

🌧️ Rained out tomorrow... but we'll see you friday!

Due to rain in the forecast, tomorrow’s Star Party (4/22) at Holbrook Overlook Trailhead has been canceled.

✨ BUT the fun continues this Friday! ✨️

Join us at Creston School for our Astronomy Community Night — rain or shine, all activities will be held indoors!

📍 Where: 4495 Montana Highway 35, Kalispell
🕔 When: Starting at 5pm - dark

🎨 Paint your own space-themed bookmark
🖍️ Color a space-themed page
🚀 Launch a stomp rocket into the solar system
❓️Bring your questions for our Q&A at 630
🌙 Learn the moon phases and why they happen
🌝Take home a fun moon-tracking activity

🎟️ Complete all activities and collect ALL your stamps to earn multiple prizes!

☀️ Weather permitting: solar scopes to safely view the Sun during the day, telescopes on Jupiter & more after dark!

🌌 Come explore the universe with us

See you there!

04/20/2026

04/13/2026

International Dark Sky Week kicks off TODAY and excitement is building around the world.

We’re already seeing incredible momentum, with over 200 events registered globally, from star parties and night hikes to community gatherings and virtual talks. This is what it looks like when people come together to celebrate and protect the night.

We can’t wait to see what you get up to this week!

📷 Share your moments with us by tagging or using .

Learn more about International Dark Sky Week here: https://idsw.darksky.org