Tahoe Star Tours Expands Summer Stargazing Schedule
Tahoe Star Tours announced today that it is expanding its summer schedule and bringing its popular stargazing events back to Northstar California Resort. Those visiting Truckee and North Lake Tahoe are invited to the resort’s Dark Skies Cosmoarium for docent-led stargazing events that will take place on select dates between June and September.
Led by amateur astronomer and poet Tony Berendsen, past president of the Northern Nevada Science Coalition, each tour of the night sky includes a lively science-based talk about the cosmos and telescopic viewing of the constellations through high-powered, professional Celestron telescopes. The telescopes use leading edge computerized technology for accurate pointing and tracking, with advanced optics for sharp, crisp views of distant celestial objects like galaxies and nebulae. Telescope operators guide guests through the wonders of the cosmos including viewing of the planets, moon and stars.
“Northstar has been a longtime partner of Tahoe Star Tours, and I couldn’t be more excited to be coming back for another season,” said Berendsen. “The Cosmoarium offers wide, unobstructed views of the night sky, and the Northstar team’s hospitality – including fire pits and s’mores – makes these events stand out as a memorable summer experience in North Lake Tahoe.”
Tony Berendsen is an award-winning amateur astronomer residing in Reno, Nevada. He is past President of the Northern Nevada Science Coalition and the Astronomical Society of Nevada. He has been showing the skies above northern Nevada and California for 20+ years, including five years at the Fleischmann Planetarium observatory in Reno. Tony writes astronomy articles for local publications and specializes in astronomy outreach by conducting stargazing sessions of the Sierra sky. Every Tahoe Star Tours event is as different as the starry skies above, and each one opens with a poem, a compelling star talk, followed by telescopic viewing exclusively featuring computerized Celestron telescopes. Learn more at www.tahoestartours.com.
Events planned at Northstar California Resort will take place June 24 and 29, July 8, 13, 22, 27, August 5, 10, 19, 24, and will conclude on September 2 with Tahoe Star Tours’ annual tribute to Carl Sagan. Docent-led stargazing tours will also take place at the new Spooner Lake Visitor Center on select Thursdays and Saturdays beginning in June and running through Labor Day weekend.
Tahoe Star Tours events are $45 for adults and $25 for children ages 12 and under (age 3 and under are free), and advance reservations are required. Tours begin at 8:15 p.m. and conclude at 10:30 p.m. Discounts are offered to Epic pass holders, active-duty military and seniors ages 65+. Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome
In addition to stargazing through computerized Celestron telescopes, guests will have the option to participate in a binocular tour using a pair of Celestron binoculars. This element of the tour is available for an additional $10 per person and is open to the first 10 people to reserve in advance.
Berendsen has produced astronomy events in the Lake Tahoe region for 20+ years. Advance reservations for all Tahoe Star Tours events are recommended, and all tours are offered weather and conditions permitting.
Tahoe Star Tours also offers private group events by advance reservation. Learn more and reserve tickets at www.tahoestartours.com.
