We recently connected with Luke Huxley and have shared our conversation below.
Luke, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
AstroTours.org was born from my lifelong fascination with the night sky and a series of profound experiences. Growing up in Denver, Colorado, I was enchanted by the Rocky Mountains’ sky. My passion deepened when my grandfather gave me a 4-inch Mak-Cassegrain telescope in middle school, which became my gateway to exploring the cosmos.
A pivotal moment came when I worked in Australia with Greg Quicke, also known as Space Gandalf, at Astro Tours Broome. Greg’s mentorship and unique approach to astronomy profoundly influenced me. When my visa expired, I returned to Colorado and realized there were no similar things to what Greg was doing in Australia. This gap inspired me to create AstroTours.org, offering hands-on guided night sky tours with large telescopes and professional astronomers.
The recent passing of Space Gandalf has been a significant loss, but his philosophy of “Earth Turning Conscious” and his approach to life and death continue to inspire me. AstroTours.org is not just a business; it’s a way to honor Greg’s legacy and share the beauty of the night sky with others. This mission excites me every day, knowing I’m solving a unique problem in Colorado and providing an immersive, educational experience that connects people with the cosmos.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hi there! I’m Luke, the founder of AstroTours.org. My journey into astronomy began in Denver, Colorado, where I was captivated by the Rocky Mountains’ night sky. This passion led me to earn a degree in physics with minors in astrophysics and geophysics from the University of Colorado. After graduation, I worked with the renowned Space Gandalf in Australia, which inspired me to start AstroTours.org back home.
At AstroTours.org, we offer immersive stargazing experiences with large telescopes and expert guidance. Our services include:
Stargazing Events: Detailed views of stars, planets, and galaxies.
Educational Sessions: Lessons on celestial navigation and constellation identification.
Special Events: Tailored stargazing experiences for occasions like birthdays and corporate events.
Youth Programs: Engaging astronomy sessions for young audiences.
We set ourselves apart by making astronomy accessible and educational, bringing professional telescopes to optimal viewing locations. We help people reconnect with the night sky, offering a unique escape from urban light pollution.
I’m proud of the impact we’ve had, inspiring awe and curiosity in our participants. We aim to spark a deeper appreciation for the universe and create unforgettable experiences. Thank you for learning about AstroTours.org, and we hope to share the magic of the cosmos with you soon!
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Luckily, starting AstroTours.org didn’t require a large initial investment, as the night sky is free for all to enjoy. If your stories are good enough, you’ll find an audience willing to pay to hear them. I studied astrophysics with tuition covered by scholarships, the Pell Grant from AmeriCorps, student loans, and a college savings account from my parents. My initial telescope was a gift from my grandfather, and as a graduation present, my grandma gave me money to buy a bigger one, a Celestron C8, which we still use today and cost $500.
I covered the park permit costs out of pocket from my various odd jobs, and I used my dad’s old camper van for transportation. With these resources, I started holding tours and reinvested all earnings back into the business to grow it and acquire more telescopes, bringing AstroTours.org to where it is today.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Providing a fun and informative experience, bringing out-there concepts down to earth with humor, has been key to our reputation. This approach makes our programs memorable and encourages word-of-mouth referrals. Our consistent five-star ratings and frequent feedback about being the highlight of people’s trips, often from those who heard about us through others, evidence our success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.astrotours.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrotoursorg/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AstroToursorg
- Linkedin: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/278946?source=p1
- Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@astrotours?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@astrotour
- Yelp: https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g33567-d17419815-Astronomy_Tour-Niwot_Colorado.html
- Soundcloud: https://www.astrotours.org/
- Other: https://www.astrotours.org/
Image Credits
AstroTours.org