Adventure Collective
null - Jackson

Stargazing with Dr. Sam

Jacksoneasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

4–6 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for most fitness levels; light walking and sitting are involved.

Overview

Discover the wonders of the night sky on a private stargazing camping adventure in Jackson, Wyoming, led by expert astronomer Dr. Sam. Perfect for star lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, this experience promises breathtaking views and extraordinary insights into the cosmos.

Events
Jackson, Wyoming

Stargazing with Dr. Sam

Stargaze with Dr. Sam • 3-4 Hours • $500/person

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Adventure Photos

Stargazing with Dr. Sam photo 1

About This Adventure

STARGAZING WITH DR. SAM

Do you want the best? Well, Dr. Sam is one of, if not the best, stargazing guide in Jackson Hole. How do we know that? He's never received anything other than 5 Star Trip Advisor Reviews and he created this organization seven years ago. He's been leading stargazing programs for almost 20 years. He holds a BA in Physics and Astronomy and a PhD in Science Education. You'll get his undivided attention during this program and you'll find out why Wyoming Stargazing has become a successful nonprofit organization.

ABOUT:

Wyoming Stargazing offers year-round stargazing programs at your convenience. Let us come to your private residence or bring you to one of the premiere stargazing locations in Grand Teton National Park. We’ll set up one of our large telescopes and entertain you and your guests by showing you all that the fantastic night skies of Jackson Hole have to offer! Throughout the night we’ll show you planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and more. We’ll also have iPads ready with the Star Walk application so you can continue exploring the heavens while your friends and family are entranced through the telescopes.

Compared to the often well-attended public stargazing programs, the larger Multi-Group Stargazing Programs and Private Stargazing Tours, Stargazing with Dr. Sam gives you the most individualized attention from Dr. Sam himself. He'll give you answers to all of the questions you’ve ever had about the Universe. There will be little-to-no wait time to look through our telescopes, which means that during the evening we’ll be able to show you even more of the extraordinary objects in the sparkling night sky!

ITINERARY:

Generally, Stargazing with Dr. Sam lasts 3-4 hours from pickup to drop off. Below is a typical program itinerary:

  • Hotel pick-ups take place from 7:30pm-9:30pm (depending on the season and the number of pick-ups that evening). We'll contact you with specific times the day of your program.
  • 30-45 minute drive to a dark location inside Grand Teton National Park
  • Explore the sky with the StarWalk app on an iPads while we set up the telescope
  • View incredible deep space objects through the telescope for about 2 hours
  • Warm up in the van while we pack everything up
  • 30-45 minute drive back to your hotel

STARGAZING WITH DR. SAM INCLUDES:

  • The most individualized attention from our most experienced Stargazing Leader
  • Picture of you in front of the Milky Way and background stars
  • Free for children 5 and under
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • The most time possible looking through our telescopes
  • The greatest opportunity to see additional deep space objects
  • Use of the Star Walk app on each iPad
  • Camping chairs to sit back and enjoy the night sky
  • Blankets to keep you warm

AVOIDING "HUBBLE ENVY"

“Hubble Envy” is the expectation of seeing exquisite, colorful images through our telescopes like those taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. Only with 100s of hours of exposure time with sophisticated cameras can astronomers produce the amazing colorful pictures that you see in magazines. One of our Board Members produces those images with his personal observatory. Our telescope DON’T do that.

What our telescopes can do is capture enough light from objects thousands to millions of light years away so that you can see those objects. However, because of the immense distances from those objects, they will appear as little white fuzzy spots through the telescope. We think it’s pretty cool to have photons (light particles) from distant galaxies actually hit your eye through the eyepiece of the telescope. Then, after traveling for millions of years, those photos are converted into electrical signals and become part of your brain!

We want to give you that experience. We have made a conscious choice to use telescopes that provide the best views for a wide array of objects including planets, stars, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and more. Some other telescopes are better for some of those objects, but our telescopes toe the line on being good at providing views of all of them. You are always welcome to call us 844-996-7827 and chat about the program before signing up online.

PLEASE NOTE:

Although we only charge $500/person for Stargazing with Dr. Sam our base price is $1,000 for up to 2 people. We don't want you to miss out on this amazing opportunity so we're always happy to run the program for just one or two people as long as you are willing to cover our base price of $1,000.

In the event of cloudy, rainy, or snowy weather Wyoming Stargazing will decide by 7 p.m. on the day of the program to either cancel the stargazing program or to rebook it if possible. Please consider booking your program early in your trip so that in the event of a weather issue you have the chance to stargaze another night! In the event that we do have to cancel your program becasue of bad weather there is no charge, except for the 6% online booking fee if you made your reservation online. Wyoming Stargazing WILL NOT charge anything if we decide to cancel because of bad weather (except for the 6% nonrefundable online booking fee if you booked yourself online). Wyoming Stargazing WILL charge the full amount of the program if the customer decides to cancel or rebook for any reason, except for emergencies, within 48 hours of the scheduled start time of the program. Wyoming Stargazing WILL charge a 5% administration fee if the customer decides to cancel or rebook for any reason, except for emergencies, after booking the program.

Adventure Tips

Arrive Before Sunset

Getting there early allows you to set up camp and enjoy the changing light before nightfall, making stargazing easier.

Bring Layered Clothing

Temperatures can drop significantly at night, so wear layers to stay comfortable while watching the stars.

Use Red Light Flashlights

Red light preserves night vision, helping you see the stars clearly without disturbing others or your own view.

Check Weather Forecast

Clear skies are essential for optimal stargazing, so review the forecast before your trip to ensure the best conditions.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Elk
  • Bald eagles

History

Jackson has long been a hub for outdoor exploration and was established as a trading post in the 20th century before becoming a national hotspot for nature lovers.

Conservation

Wyoming Stargazing emphasizes leave-no-trace principles, ensuring the natural beauty and clarity of the skies are preserved for future generations.

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Adventure Hotspots in Jackson

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Warm Sleeping Bag

Essential

Ensures warmth during chilly Wyoming nights to keep you comfortable while sleeping outdoors.

winter specific

Camping Mat or Pad

Essential

Provides insulation and comfort when resting under the stars.

Headlamp or flashlight with Red Filters

Essential

Helps navigate your campsite without ruining your night vision.

Binoculars or Portable Telescope

Enhances your view of celestial objects and distant landscapes.