We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Luke Huxley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Luke below.
Luke, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
AstroTours.org’s mission is not simply to bring the cosmos to people; it’s to share a unifying perspective that we inhabit this small planet together.
During my travels around the world, and particularly living in Australia, I was struck by how the night sky is something shared across all cultures. We all look up at the same stars, and it’s something profoundly unifying. We all travel around this planet as it rotates once a day, and we all orbit our sun once a year. That’s a journey we’re all on together.
So, I decided to bring this experience to people who might not have had the opportunity to look through a telescope. We partner with diverse events, like concerts, weddings, festivals, and youth groups like the YMCA or Girl Scouts. Through this, we aim to inspire the next generation of astronomers, and more importantly, communicate why astronomy is not just about distant celestial objects but a reminder of how interconnected we are.
The mission isn’t just about education; it’s about creating a sense of community and unity. We want to highlight how small our planet is in the grand scheme of things and how this shared experience can bridge gaps between us. It’s about more than just looking at stars; it’s about recognizing our shared humanity and our collective journey on this Earth.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
Certainly! My name is Luke Huxley, and I was born in Denver, Colorado, where I’ve been enchanted by the Rocky Mountains’ sky my whole life. I started AstroTours after living in Australia and working as an Astronomer doing outreach for a couple of observatories down there. when I returned to America, I realized there was a void for similar services in the states. This led me to create AstroTours.org.
AstroTours.org is focused on making the cosmos accessible to people from all walks of life, including those in need or non-profit groups aligned with our mission. We specialize in guided night tours of the sky with hands-on experience using telescopes, binoculars, and lasers. Our services include public tours multiple times a week, private event programs like concerts, weddings, and youth group activities such as those with the YMCA or Girl Scouts. To emphasize outreach and accessibility, we also offer at-cost and no-cost tours, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to explore the universe with us.
What sets us apart is no one else is offering a service like this. There’s planetariums and some observatories will open their doors to the public on special occasions but no one else is bringing the cosmos to you or having as frequent public viewings. We can take our telescopes anywhere there are people to look through them. We run programs multiple times a week at our Boulder location so no matter the time of year/month you are visiting Colorado you can come view the universe with us! We also offer at-cost and no-cost tours to those in need or to non-profit groups that align with our mission, emphasizing outreach and accessibility.
AstroTours is about making the wonders of the universe accessible to everyone. Our services extend beyond mere observation; they’re about connection, inspiration, and sharing the unifying perspective that we all inhabit this small planet in the vast cosmos. Our services are not just about stargazing but about education, inspiration, and connecting people with the cosmos. I invite everyone to join us for an unforgettable experience, whether you’re an avid stargazer or simply curious about what lies beyond our planet.
For anyone interested in exploring the night sky or looking to add an extraordinary element to their event, AstroTours.org stands ready to provide an out-of-this-world experience
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Building AstroTours.org’s reputation has been an incredible journey, and I believe it boils down to a few key elements: our dedication to creating unique and unforgettable experiences, our commitment to education, and our personal touch.
First and foremost, our client feedback speaks volumes. We’re proud to have over 1,000 five-star reviews across multiple platforms, including AirBnB, Trip Advisor, Yelp, Facebook, and NextDoor. In fact, we’ve jokingly compared our star ratings to the Wild Duck star cluster M11 – we have more stars in our reviews than in that entire cluster!
Our media coverage has also played a significant role. We’ve been featured on HGTV, which gave viewers a real feel for what an AstroTour is like. Publications like Powder The Skier’s Magazine and VoyageDenver Magazine have covered us, and we even received a mention in the New York Times for the Lunar Eclipse on May 15th, 2022.
Our commitment to excellence has been acknowledged through awards as well. We were named one of “The Best Day Trips to Take From Denver” by 5280 magazine, and we received the prestigious Cultural Tour Company of the Year award in 2022. Additionally, we were honored with the 2022 Boulder Award.
I think what truly sets us apart is our commitment to go above and beyond for our clients. We provide not only an educational but a truly enjoyable and engaging experience. Whether it’s a 15-year-old with a myriad of questions or just someone looking for a unique tour, we make sure to cater to everyone’s interests and curiosity.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect for me, is witnessing that magical moment of realization and awe in others. It’s a deeply human and connecting experience that transcends the usual boundaries of communication.
When people first see Saturn through the telescope with their own eyes, their reactions are often profound. The exclamations, the widened eyes, the stunned silence – those are the moments that truly resonate with me. It’s not just about seeing a distant planet; it’s about physically interacting with the photons of something far beyond our everyday experience with your own retina.
Equally rewarding are the times when something clicks for someone during a tour. Whether it’s understanding how the North Star works or grasping the vastness of our universe, those moments of comprehension are incredibly fulfilling.
I also love when people share their cultural perspectives with me. Hearing folklore from different cultures that view a constellation or celestial event differently adds richness to our shared human experience. It’s a reminder that we all look at the same sky, but our stories and interpretations can be as diverse as we are.
In essence, the most rewarding part of my work is not just sharing knowledge but igniting curiosity, wonder, and a sense of connection. It’s about making the cosmos feel a little bit closer and more personal for everyone who joins us on a tour.
Contact Info:
- Website: AstroTours.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrotoursorg/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AstroToursorg
- Linkedin: https://www.astrotours.org/reviews
- Twitter: https://www.threads.net/@astrotoursorg
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@astrotour
- Yelp: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/278946?source=p1
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@astrotours?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/278946?source=p1 https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g33567-d17419815-Astronomy_Tour-Niwot_Colorado.html https://www.threads.net/@astrotoursorg https://www.astrotours.org/reviews
Image Credits
Luke Huxley (AstroTours.org)