Little Thompson Observatory

The Little Thompson Observatory is a fully volunteer-run public observatory on the Berthoud High School campus, housing a 24-inch Mount Wilson telescope that was used to map the lunar surface for Apollo mission landing site selection — you can peer through the same optics that helped put humans on the moon. Free public star nights run on the third Friday of each month, drawing hundreds of visitors with trained volunteer astronomers on hand.

The move: Arrive for the free Public Star Night (third Friday of the month, doors open 7 pm, program at 7:30 pm) — listen to a short talk from a volunteer astronomer, then take turns at the 24-inch Apollo-era scope to view planets, nebulae, or star clusters, and ask the staff to tell you the story of how the telescope helped choose where the Apollo landers would touch down.

• 📍 Berthoud
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 850 Spartan Ave, Berthoud, CO 80513

Hours: Mined 2026-06-07 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3

Verified 2026-06-07.