Beyond the Big Sky

For one weekend a month from June through September, MLC will open its observatories to the public at sunset. Each evening will start with a presentation from a guest astronomer, after which you’ll have the opportunity to use your newfound knowledge to better appreciate the night skies as we gaze through MLC’s state-of-the art telescopes.

Each evening’s presentation will be different.

Members of MLC’s staff and volunteers from the Helena Astronomical Society will be on hand to operate the telescopes and answer questions in the observatories.

September 19th Speaker:

Mike Murray is the Manager and Resident Astronomer of the Delta College Planetarium in Bay City, Michigan. Mr. Murray also hosts the Backyard Astronomer program on NPR, where he talks about what’s visible in the night sky, especially those objects visible without a telescope. Before taking on his current roles, Mr. Murray worked at several different planetariums in the U.S., including the Taylor Planetarium at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana. Mr. Murray also served as an Assistant Director of the NASA-funded Montana Space Grant Consortium at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, where he served as lead developer and manager of the Education and Public Outreach Programs.

For more information, visit: Beyond the Big Sky

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Montana Learning Center, 7653 Canyon Ferry Road, Helena, United States