About me
My name is Tanner, owner and operator of Rocky Mountain Astronomy Tours, a mobile observatory business that brings the wonders of the night sky to your private party, corporate event, or educational outings. I have been hosting star parties since 2020 and I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and love of space with others.
Ever since I was little, I thought that space was cool. Then, when I grew up, I realized that space really is cool! I have spent my whole life with a deep admiration of our universe.
As an avid believer in preserving and protecting Utah’s beautiful night skies from the ever encroaching problem of light pollution, I am passionate about reducing my contribution to light pollution, and educating others on the negative impact of light pollution and how they can help!
Client Testimonials
“Tanner provided an unforgettable experience for my mom’s birthday by setting up his telescope in our backyard. He shared his extensive knowledge of the stars and planets, making the evening both educational and enchanting. Tanner’s patience and kind nature were evident as he answered the countless questions my 8-year-old peppered him with. His enthusiasm and expertise made the night truly special for everyone. I highly recommend his services for a unique and memorable star-gazing event.”
-Emily W.
“The Utah Council Of The Blind recently had the opportunity to have Tanner for a special event focused on the sun. The experience was nothing short of exceptional. His enthusiasm and expertise were evident as he engaged us with fascinating insights about solar phenomena. Tanner not only provided us with valuable knowledge but also inspired a deeper appreciation for the wonders of our universe. We highly recommend his programs to anyone interested in exploring the cosmos.”
-Anna J.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can we see from the middle of a city?
Even from the middle of Salt Lake City (lots of light pollution), there are still quite a few objects we would be able to see. Generally more objects are visible in darker locations, but from light polluted skies, stars, star clusters, planets, and of course the moon are still visible. In areas with slightly less light pollution, some bright nebulas and galaxies start to become visible.
What is light pollution?
Simply put, light pollution is excess/wasted light shining upwards into the sky. Light pollution makes our sky bright which in turn makes it much harder for people to experience the night sky. The sollution to light pollution can be as simple as turning off a light when not needed, changing a light bulb to a lower kelvin bulb (more orange), or adding a “cap” to a light so all the light is being directed downwards instead of “leaking” up to the sky. For more information on light pollution and its negative impact, check out Dark Sky Internationals resource [What is light pollution?].
What if it's cloudy, or the weather is bad?
Weather can be tricky when it comes to astronomy. Some bright objects (the Sun, the Moon, and some planets) can still be seen through thinner clouds, but thick clouds can completely halt astronomical viewing until they clear. If clouds are the only issue, we can point the telescope at objects on Earth, like mountains, until the clouds subside. Adverse weather such as rain, snow, severe wind, and lightning strictly prohibit use of the telescope.
What will I see?
There are plenty of amazing objects in our night sky visible through our telescope. Some of these includes, galaxies, planets, the Moon, the Sun, nebulas, and more. For a visual representation of what may be seen please head to our photos page [What Could You See?].