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Public Astronomy Lectures, Stargazing and Outreach Events

Our team travels around the Treasure Valley and beyond teaching NASA educational content to learners of all ages.

 

Public Astronomy Lectures

Boise State Department of Physics invites you to join the First Friday Astronomy.

First Friday Astronomy is open to the public and happens every first Friday (even in the summer months).

Lectures start at 7:30 pm (MT) in the Liberal Arts Building (LART), room 106. Events are open to the public and donation-supported.

You can donate at boi.st/astronomy and live-stream at boi.st/astrobroncoslive.

Summer 2024

  • May 3 Tim Frazier, Professor Emeritus, Aurorae or I Took a Wrong Turn at the Airport
  • Jun 7 Chris Anderson, Observatory Coordinator, In the Shadows of Asteroids: Stellar Occultation Observations at the College of Southern Idaho Quondam.csi.edu/dirdetail.asp?canderson
  • Jul 5 Dr. Elizabeth Macdonald, Space Physicist, NASA Goddard, What is the Aurora and How Can You Get Involved in Aurora Research? Aurorasaurus.org
  • Aug 2 Dr. Jason Williams, Project Scientist for NASA’s Cold Atom Lab, NASA’s Cold Atom Lab: Six Years of Quantum Science on the International Space Station https://coldatomlab.jpl.nasa.gov
Boise State Physics First Friday Astronomy Flyer

For more information, head to Seminars and Events.

Stargazing and Outreach Events

What is AstroTAC?

Our Astronomers in Training Assisting the Community (AstroTAC) team consists of Boise State University students who provide outreach opportunities for the public.

From unique hands-on activities to a mobile planetarium, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Through outreach, AstroTAC is able to provide access of NASA educational material to rural and remote communities, schools, and families.  AstroTAC’s mission aims to bring STEM education into both rural and urban schools, sparking curiosity for our future’s next generation of scientists.

Partnered with educational professionals within Boise State’s College of Education, students also work to create engaging material that embodies Idaho’s science standards. For more information regarding this partnership, visit our page K-12 Teaching Resources.

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Students at Castleford Elementary work together to create an image from the JWST.
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The class admires their work of recreating the Carina Nebula.

We have a variety of event options for educators to choose from! In addition, AstroTAC is also happy to work with educators to create new content that best suits their needs. Explore all that the team has to offer below and when you’re ready, visit the Contact Us page to plan your outreach event. 

Visit the Observatory

The Observatory will be open on Friday nights just after sunset (view sunset times) until midnight, if the weather permits. Announcements will be made each Friday at 12:00 pm MT to let the public know if the Observatory will be open or closed and what time to arrive.

We will do our very best to make your Observatory experience an enjoyable event filled with the wonders of the night sky.

For more information, head toVisit the Observatory

Explore what AstroTAC has to offer!