Hosted by Astronomer Stephen Mackintosh

Tour Season: September to March

During the longer nights between September and March, I host evening astronomy tours for small groups of 1-4 people based out of Inverness. These tours aim to reveal the wonders of the night sky through open-air stargazing (weather permitting) or, as a backup, via a digital planetarium and astronomy talk delivered on-location from my business vehicle.

Tour Format and Content:

Pickup and Location: I can either pick you up from your accommodation or meet you at a nearby dark sky location within a reasonable distance from Inverness. I strive to choose a location that offers the best balance of weather and dark skies.

Tour Overview:

• Introduction: Begin with basics on navigating the heavens using pointer stars and constellations.
• Viewing: Observe a variety of night sky objects including star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and planets (depending on their positions).
• Format: The tour may be a mix of outdoor stargazing and indoor presentations, depending on the weather. My van is heated and equipped with screens for presenting astronomy talks with planetarium software.

Equipment and Experience:

• Binoculars for wide-field views of star clusters and brighter nebulae.
• Larger 100mm binoculars and 150mm telescope for more detailed observations.
• I will answer any questions and provide insights into the history and dynamics of each object of interest.

Duration:

• Tours last around 2 hours, depending on conditions.
• Concludes with a final Q&A session.

How to Prepare

• Clothing: Winter in the highlands can be very cold, especially in exposed areas. Wear plenty of warm, layered clothing to trap heat. Wearing two pairs of socks is recommended to protect your feet from the cold.
• Equipment: Feel free to bring your own spotting scopes or binoculars, though these will be provided.

Booking and Cancellations

To Book:

• Contact me to schedule a date.
• Telephone 07414 964 965
• Email or message us on our Facebook site.

Weather Policy:

• Tours proceed regardless of sky conditions, with a backup astronomy and planetarium talk provided if skies are unfavourable.

Moon Phases:

• Check the calendar below for Moon phases. Dates with a prominent Moon are not suitable for viewing the Milky Way, but the Moon itself is a wonderful object to observe. I will theme the evening according to the current Moon phase and planet positions. Please check the phase of the Moon here.

Pricing

• Flat Fee: £140 (non-refundable £40 deposit required upon booking).
• Payment: The remaining balance is due on the day of the tour.
• Group Size: The fee is the same regardless of party size (1-4 people).
• Weather Guarantee: Tours will go ahead in all weather conditions (with poor weather backup).
• Gift Vouchers: Coded gift vouchers are available for recipients to use at a future date of their choosing (subject to weather criteria).

Join me for an unforgettable stargazing experience and discover the wonders of the night sky!

Live Inverness Weather Report