January 22nd, 2023, happens to be the date when the Lunar New Year starts, an international holiday celebrated in many Asian countries and globally by some two billion people. It’s also the date when two lovely celestial objects, the planets Venus and Saturn, appear very close together in the night sky. Actually, they’re so close, […]
On the evening of October 10, a lovely Harvest Moon rose through the clouds, delighting a crowd of children, their siblings and parents, and the teachers who assembled their students for the occasion of their annual Full Moon Party. Even before then, in the deepening twilight, Stellar Vista Observatory’s telescopes were trained on Saturn for […]
Stellar Vista Observatory joins Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and other astronomy buffs for GCNRA’s annual star party, right out on the walking bridge over the Marble Canyon Gorge. Truly a wonderful experience. SVO will be there with our telescopes on the 30th. Hope to see you there!
By Rich Csenge, president, Stellar Vista Observatory On Tuesday, September 20th at the Jackson Flat Reservoir boat launch parking area, Stellar Vista Observatory (SVO) will hold an outdoor activity specially designed for the early bird who enjoys getting outside on a cool September morning. Several telescopes will be set up and bathroom facilities are available. […]
by Rich Csenge Just as the forecast for clearing skies begins to replace the summer monsoon, Kanab’s nonprofit Stellar Vista Observatory (SVO) will hold a free public star party at Jackson Flat Reservoir boat launch parking area Friday evening, August 26, from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. It’s only one of numerous public observing events […]
The Moon, The Planets, and Bikes; Yikes! By Rich Csenge, president, Stellar Vista Observatory Weather update!! Unfortunately, long awaited monsoon rains are causing cancellation of this event. But we’re grateful for rainfall to even slightly ease what scientists say is the worst drought in 1,200 years for the Western US. When sky conditions improve, we’ll […]
Here’s a link to read a well illustrated article in EarthSky about the meteor storm that could happen over North America this coming Monday night, between 10:45 PM and 11:20 PM, Mountain Daylight Time. https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/tau-herculid-meteors-may-intense-shower/ It’s a fascinating blend of history and science on meteors and this particular show, the Tau Herculids. A few active […]
Even though cloudiness appears to be increasing, SVO remains on track to host a lunar eclipse party as planned, beginning at 8:30 PM tonight in Kanab, at the Jackson Flat Reservoir boat launch parking area. Hopefully, we’ll be rewarded with good views of the spectacle in between the clouds. Totality occurs just after 10 PM. […]

By Rich Csenge, President, Stellar Vista Observatory Have you ever seen a total eclipse of the moon? It’s a marvelous yet uncommon experience that everyone should aim to witness. For some, to view a total lunar eclipse through an astronomical telescope can elevate the experience to a treasured lifetime memory! A total lunar eclipse takes […]