Longmont Astronomical Society

Tonight's Sky

A monthly video of constellations to observe, from the Space Telescope Science Institute

For Teachers

Our Educational and Community Outreach page has science project ideas and websites for students and educators.

Astro Calendar

What to expect in the sky each night

What's Up

NASA presents constellations, asterisms and more to see in the sky each month

Old Postcard

The 48 inch Schmidt Telescope at Mount Palomar Observatory.

News

Regis University professor discusses groundbreaking research on Muons

April 14, 2021 3:43 PM

Paul Kammermeier
The LAS newsletter for April is now available.

April 08, 2021 1:46 PM

Paul Kammermeier
Mesa Verde National Park just became an official Dark Sky site

April 08, 2021 1:34 PM

Paul Kammermeier
A new Hubble Telescope photo exhibit is open at Wings Over the Rockies Museum

March 12, 2021 8:31 AM

Paul Kammermeier

2021 Calendar is now available

The LAS 2021 calendar featuring fabulous astrophotos taken by members of the Longmont Astronomical Society is now available at the LAS Store.

Become a Member!

Membership is open to all people of any age. We also offer student memberships.

Join Us

Photo by Paul Robinson; taken Near Rawlins, WY

LAS members took some fifty photos of Neowise.

Learn more about comets and how to view them in a summary of Paul Robinson's presentation to the LAS.

Care to donate to the LAS?

You can support the telescope fund or the general fund on our Donation page.

Next Monthly Meeting:

How do Galaxies Get their Shapes?

Dr. Angela Collier

Thursday, April 15th 7:00 via Zoom

Astronomers classify galaxies into three categories, based on their morphology: elliptical, spiral and irregular. Each type of galaxy spans a wide range of size, kinematic properties, and chemical makeup. The appearances of galaxies are shaped over billions of years by interactions with other galaxies and internal dynamical processes. While we do not know for sure how galaxies form to take these different shapes observed today we can find clues in galactic simulations. I will discuss the current state of the field and my own work on dark matter interactions within galaxies.

Angela Collier is a theoretical physicist who explores the role of dark matter interactions in large scale secular dynamics through analytical calculations and numerical simulations. She currently works at JILA and CU Boulder as a research postdoctoral fellow in the Eccentric Dynamics Group. She is originally from eastern Kentucky.

Information on previous months’ talks can be found on our Presentations page.

LAS Joins Boulder County Parks & Open Space to Observe International Dark Sky Week

International Dark Sky Week, April 5-12, is set aside to discover more about the constellations, planets, and celestial objects above our heads, and the dark skies that make these possible to see. Light pollution often obliterates our ability to see the skies, and causes harm in various ways to both humans and wildlife.

Boulder County Parks & Open Space is teaming up with the Longmont Astronomical Society to bring you daily emails April 5-9 with fun facts about dark skies, sky views, and ways you can help combat light pollution.

You can sign up to receive emails on the Boulder County Events webpage.

Learn more about how to be dark-sky friendly on our Light Pollution page.

Telescope Donation

Students from Frederick High School pose with telescopes donated to their science class. Members of the community had contacted LAS with telescopes to donate. LAS President Stephen Garretson found in the FHS science class a group eager to use them in their astronomy studies. Scott Weitzel donated the scope on the right, a Meade 125 EXT UHTC. George Rebhan donated the one at left, a Meade 323 Refractor.