Autumn is upon us, and for many amateur astronomers that means a prime opportunity for viewing the spectacular gas giants Saturn and Jupiter. But how do you get the most out of your equipment, or do you need any to enjoy the planets? Join Standley Lake Stargazing for a how-to observing guide including how to find planets year-round, what equipment is suitable, and most importantly what to actually expect at the eyepiece.

Since the dawn of man, the night sky has captivated imaginations and inspired tales of all kinds, many of which live on in the constellations. But the deep void of space has also stirred a sense of mystery, or worse. Join Standley Lake Stargazing for a look at some of the creepier moments from spaceflight and astronomy, such as the eerie blinking of Algol, the Demon Star, that puzzled the ancients, the mysterious music that the Apollo 10 astronauts heard in lunar orbit, the shape of a human face carved in the dunes of Mars imaged by Viking 1, and much more!