FAQ

🧭 Time, equipment, expertise, and all the small costs you don't see.

Knowledge of the night sky and the ability to share it clearly is a specialized skillset.  A two hour tour represents seven hours of labor with setup, teardown, program preparation, and travel. 

Each event deploys $10,000+ in optical equipment, along with the supporting infrastructure that makes it reliable and safe:  vehicles, trailers, power, storage, insurance, office, tax, and all the other little things.

Frankly, while Astro Mucho is a premium experience,  we are significantly more affordable than comparable private astronomy tours in destinations like Joshua Tree, Zion, Jackson Hole, Sedona, and Boulder.  

🪐 It's the best telescope in the world that you can still carry.

Barely!  The optical tube and mount is 65 pounds!  The 11" aperture is a big light bucket, but the Schmidt-Cassegrain's strength lies in it's focal length.  Even though the telescope is only two feet long, it behaves like it's over 9 feet due to fancy mirrors in the tube.  This means maximum magnification and clarity on Saturn, Jupiter, and distant dark sky objects!

It lives on a twenty pound tripod that is extremely stable.  We only use premium 2" eyepieces to give the widest, sharpest views possible.  

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 No pets at public tours.  Anything goes for private tours!

Be considerate of others at public tours, and please don't let your dog knock over the telescope at a private tour.    Thank you!

🌧️ If we have to cancel due to weather and can't reschedule, you'll receive a full refund.

We make weather calls at least 2 hours before showtime and will reach out personally to discuss, and reschedule or refund if necessary.   

⏳ Most programs run about 2 hours.

But we’ve gone longer!

📆 Full refund if canceled more than 7 days out. 50% refund if less than 7 days.

Weather exceptions apply — if we cancel due to weather and can't reschedule, you’ll get 100% back.

🔭 Absolutely not.

In fact, the less you know, the smarter we sound! Whether you’re a total newbie or a seasoned sky nerd, we’ll meet you where you are. 

🧥 Check the weather before your show — it might be cold, or it might be perfect.

Just dress properly. Be ready for temperatures 10-15° F cooler than forecast because of all the time you will be spending outside. 

Bring water, a red light and binoculars if you have them, and your questions!

🪐 Astro Mucho's guides are paid well for their knowledge and scarcity.

Tips are not expected, but always appreciated. If you had a stellar time (pun intended), a high fifty is an excellent way to say thanks to your guide for going above and beyond.

📷 Yes — just no flash, please!

You’re welcome to take photos during the show. We also use a SeeStar S50 smart scope during experiences and can share those photos with you.

🌌 Sure — if they’re visible that night!

Most celestial objects are seasonal. Saturn will be invisible from March through August.  Let us know if there’s something you’re hoping to see, and we’ll tailor the night accordingly.

🏙️ Almost.  

We only operate where we have permission.  We've only been denied permission by one place. 

We do not have commercial use authorizations for either park, because they require $2 million in liability insurance.

🚗 Our base rate includes up to 1 hour of round-trip driving.

We’re happy to go farther, but additional travel time will be charged at $50/hour.