Over 82,000 visitors have enjoyed the observatory since 1999. We invite you to explore the universe with us!
Your Own Observatory Visit
We are available for reservations 3 days a week, August through June, and offer scheduled sessions where you can learn about various astronomical topics and take a guided tour of the skies using the large telescopes in our observatory. We are closed the entire month of July for maintenance.
Science classes, company parties, church groups, scout troops, individuals – anyone can schedule an event at the Little Thompson Observatory. A reservation for your group gives you access to the 6, 18, and 24 inch telescopes and other LTO resources. One or more volunteers will be available to help acquaint you with the night sky and to operate the telescopes.
Every effort will be made to ensure that your visit will be a memorable one. In the event of inclement weather (clouds, snow, rain), we have a variety of presentations and movies, and can teach your group about the Constellation Wall. We can also demonstrate the telescope with the dome closed. There is never a charge for any of our programs, but we gratefully accept donations to help us continue this unique service.
Schedule Your Visit
To reserve a date, go to our Reservation and Event Calendar page, find an open day, then fill out the form provided below the calendar. All days without a visible status are available for reservation requests.
Please allow at least two weeks to get the appropriate volunteers scheduled for your visit. Groups larger than 15 require special consideration.
The Little Thompson Science Foundation reserves the right to refuse observatory access to anyone.
We are closed for annual maintenance the entire month of July. To insure the safety of our visitors, no events will be scheduled during July.
Guidelines
Observing the following guidelines will help ensure that everyone has an enjoyable evening at the Little Thompson Observatory. We thank you for your cooperation.
Do:
Park in the large, lighted high school parking lot. Parking is very limited near the observatory building.
(Accessibility: While parking is very limited near the observatory building, guests with disabilities or who have trouble walking on a gravel path can drive through the gate and follow the gravel road to the observatory building. Note that while the main LTO building is wheelchair accessible, the telescope dome is not. In addition, the stairway into the observatory dome is steep, curved, narrow, and at times dimly lit. Although there is a convenient handrail, those with significant physical limitations may want to contact LTO before their visit to determine if access to the telescope can be accommodated.)
Dress according to the prevailing outside temperatures. While the main room at the observatory is heated, the telescope is maintained at outside temperatures for technical reasons.
Bring a small flashlight, because the path to and from the observatory is not brightly lit.
Listen to the presentation, ask a lot of questions, and enjoy yourself – it is your evening at the observatory! Our volunteers will do whatever is possible to make it an unforgettable experience for you.
Co-operate in keeping the facility clean and orderly, your help is most appreciated.
Don’t:
Bring food or drinks into the observatory unless specifically approved in advance. A water fountain is available at the observatory.
Bring your pet. Except service dogs, animals are not permitted.
Bring alcohol, tobacco products, or drugs of any type. Smoking is not permitted. The observatory is on school grounds and as such is within a “Drug Free Zone.”
Bring bicycles, skateboards or in-line skates inside the observatory building.
Use your cell phone while up in the dome. If you must take a call or send a message, please go down to the warm room. Lighted cell phones cause problems with night vision and distract from the viewing experience.
Touch or lean on the constellation wall. We know it’s tempting but just look – don’t touch. Unlike the real ones, our stars are easy to knock out of their constellations.
Map and Directions
Berthoud, Colorado: Latitude: +40.31 N, Longitude: -105.08 W. Berthoud is located between Longmont and Loveland on Highway 287. The LTO is on the east grounds of Berthoud High School – near the running track. For mapping, use Berthoud High School’s street address: 850 Spartan Avenue /Berthoud, CO / 80513
Here’s a map and street view to help find us:
Google Map
Street View
From Denver:
Take I-25 north to the Berthoud exit (exit number 250, for Highway 56), and go west into Berthoud. At the roundabout, continue west onto Mountain Ave (old Highway 287) where it is running east-west. Watch for 8th Street — there is a traffic light and Guarantee Bank and A&W at the intersection of Mountain Ave and 8th. Turn south onto 8th St. Follow 8th St. to the south; it meanders a bit. 8th Street ends in a T-intersection at Spartan Drive. Turn right (west) on Spartan Drive, and watch for Berthoud High School on your right. You’ll see the observatory to the north-east of the school, beyond the parking lot. Look for a blue building with 2 big white domes.
From Longmont:
Take Highway 287 (Main St. in Longmont) north to Berthoud, turn right towards Berthoud at the CO-56 interchange traffic lights West of Berthoud, follow CO-56 to the next lights and turn South (right) onto CR-17. Turn left on the 3rd street on your left, which is Spartan Avenue. The High School will be on your left and you can park in the parking lot just East of the school. The Observatory is visible from the parking lot.
From Loveland via Taft:
Take Taft south to Berthoud, and go straight across old 287 at the traffic lights West of Berthoud and turn left on Spartan Avenue. The High School will be on your left and you can park in the parking lot just East of the school.
From Loveland or Ft. Collins via 287:
Take Highway 287 south to Berthoud. Turn left (East) onto CO-56 at the traffic lights. Follow CO-56 East to the next lights and turn South (right) onto CR-17. Turn left on the 3rd street on your left, which is Spartan Avenue. The High School will be on your left and you can park in the parking lot just East of the school. The Observatory is visible from the parking lot.
From Ft. Collins:
Take I-25 south to the Berthoud exit (exit number 250, for Highway 56), and go west into Berthoud. At the roundabout, continue west onto Mountain Ave. Watch for 8th Street– there is a traffic light and Guarantee Bank and A&W at the intersection of Mountain Ave and 8th. Turn south onto 8th St. Follow 8th St. to the south, and it meanders a bit. 8th will end in a T-intersection at Spartan Drive. Turn right (west) on Spartan Drive, and watch for Berthoud High School on your right. You’ll see the observatory to the north-east of the school. It’s hard to miss: a blue building with two big white domes.
Sky and Weather Conditions
Go to Weather Underground by clicking on the following link to see a live weather update from our own weather station:
Tonight’s Sky
What do you want to see? Here is an excellent monthly video with highlights of the current month. Go to the Hubble site “Tonight’s Sky” to watch or download your preferred file format: Hubble Site Tonight’s Sky
Sky Maps
Want to know what you can see with just your eyes, or binoculars, or a small telescope? This is the one we use! Click on the following link to download this month’s star map: skymap.com/download
The Sky Right Now
- Latitude: 40.299610 North
- Longitude: 105.084437 West
Finding your own Latitude & Longitude: https://www.latlong.net/
Current Moon Phase
The Moon is always fascinating. The most dramatic views are had when the Moon is waxing or waning. The rugged lunar landscape is best revealed as the sun slants across its surface, casting shadows of lunar mountains and crater rims. For those who wish to observe things other than the Moon and planets (and there is much to see!), brighter phases of the Moon easily overpower the fainter light of star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. For the deep-sky, nights near to New Moon or when the Moon rises late in the evening offer the best views. Moon Phases
Clear Sky Chart
In most cases, darker blue boxes indicate better observing conditions in an hour’s column (note 24-hr clock format). Temperature and Humidity are exceptions. Temperature ranges from red (hot) to blue (frigid); white is around freezing (32°). Higher Humidity is shown in shades of yellow, orange and red.
