Beyond the Big Sky – Public Stargazing Nights in June

Spend an evening under the night sky at The Montana Learning Center at Canyon Ferry Lake! The Montana Learning Center’s state-of-the-art astronomical park will be open to the public three weekends this summer. Each event will begin after sunset with a presentation and question and answer session with a guest expert, followed by a tour of the night sky using the Center’s world-class telescopes. Each presentation will be different and is sure to be educational!

June 27 and 28, 2025 will feature James Manning, the retired Executive Director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, one of the country's foremost organizations dedicated to enhancing the public’s understanding and enjoyment of astronomy and space. Before his tenure with the Society, Mr. Manning led the Office of Public Outreach at the Space Telescope Science Institute (the operations hub for the Hubble Space Telescope) and served as Director of the Taylor Planetarium at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana. Over the years, Mr. Manning has been an active member of numerous planetarium and educational organizations, including a term as President of the International Planetarium Society.

Attendance at each event is limited to 100 people and advance ticket purchase is required. Tickets are $25 per adult (age 18 and over) and $15 per child per event. Attendees must be 12 years old or older. Tickets are non-refundable and the events will be held rain or shine, with night-sky observing being weather-permitting. To register or for more information, please visit the event webpage - Beyond the Big Sky.

Montana Learning Center at Canyon Ferry Lake offers youth summer camps in a variety of STEM fields, live and online teacher learning opportunities and a range of astronomy programs for students, teachers and members of the public. The Center boasts a picturesque lakeside setting, which is ideal for exploring Montana’s night sky.