Dark Skies Colorado

06/11/2026

The Smokey Jack Observatory (SJO), located in The Bluff Park at the west end of Main Street across from Cliff Lanes in Westcliffe. The SJO was formally dedicated on the night of Friday, November 13, 2015, with over 100 people attending. It houses one of the most powerful telescopes in Colorado, attracting star lovers from around the world!There are no operating hours for the SJO and it is only open when we have public events. Otherwise, anyone is welcome to visit the SJO to see it in person but it will not be open to go inside.
The SJO is named in honor of Suzanne B. Jack (1946-2004), known to all as Smokey Jack, the founder and first Dark Skies’ President. Smokey loved the beautiful night skies of the Wet Mountain Valley, and she wanted others to be able to admire the Milky Way. Although no longer with us, she left behind a legacy of education about light pollution that continues to spread, protecting our pristine dark skies for future generations.

06/06/2026

Family Fun Day at Memorial Park!

05/09/2026

09 MAY 26 0833 - Tonight we are scheduled for our first VISUAL STAR PARTY at the Smokey Jack Observatory (SJO) and the weather is going to force us to cancel this evenings event. Right now we are at 26% cloud cover, multiple weather sources are predicting +80% cloud cover by 9:00 PM and fits of rain and thunder later in the evening.

Here we go again in 2026!

https://server3.cleardarksky.com/c/SmkyJckObCOkey.html?1

03/03/2026

Don‘t forget to set your alarm for tomorrow morning’s total lunar eclipse.

Totality starts at 0404 MST and ends at 0505 or there about. the Penumbral will start about at 0144, partial begins at 0250. Maximum totality at 0433. The moon sets at 0633 so you may not see the end of it before it sets depending upon your Western Horizon.

This should be a blood red eclipse.

01/20/2026

The online reservation system for the Smokey Jack Observatory hasnow gone active for the 2026 season!

Please visit https://www.darkskiescolorado.org/reserve-sjo to make your reservation for a night time star party!

09/27/2025

Canceled again.

The weather forecasts have changed to cloudy skies tonight. Looks like our "Locals" star party will be canceled.

Steve

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09/26/2025

Weekend events

We have a local's star party scheduled for 8PM this Saturday night (9/27/2005). You don't have to be a local to attend.

The weather forecast is not great with most sites predicting partly cloudy skies. In our area, "partly cloudy" skies can be partly cloudy or mostly cloudy with the occasional somewhat clear sky thrown in for added confusion.

Due to the forecast, I wouldn't recommend driving a long distance to attend the party.

If you do attend, DRESS WARMLY!

The observatory will be closed after Saturday until spring of 2026. Have a good winter.

Steve

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09/12/2025

Saturday Events for September 13, 2025

Looks like the weather will be mostly cooperative for Saturday.

Solar observations are at 11 AM.

Visual Star Party starts at 8:15 PM. Temperatures in the low 50's with a breeze. Dress warmly.

No reservations are needed for either party.

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08/29/2025

Cancelled

The atmosphere still appears to be unsettled for Saturday night's Star Party. The NWS is currently predicting a 40% chance of rain.

Due to this, we are cancelling the Star Party for August 30th.

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08/21/2025

Star Party Cancelled

This weekend's (August 23rd) EAA party at the Smokey Jack Observatory has been cancelled due to forecasts of rain and mostly cloudy skies. Steve

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