Welcome to Night Sky Tourist
Chances are, you’re like 80% of people on Earth who can no longer see the Milky Way from where they live. It’s also likely that you look up at the night sky and see randomly scattered stars because no one showed you how to identify constellations, planets, or phases of the Moon.
You’re in the right place!
Night Sky Tourist provides resources and experiences that will transform your relationship with the night.
Through our podcast, articles, and upcoming digital course, we give you fun and engaging ways to discover the seasonal constellations, cultural star stories, and tools for protecting the natural darkness where you live.
And if you live in the Phoenix area or plan to visit, we offer a unique variety of stargazing experiences. From Full Moon hikes to Cross-Quarter Day dinners, twilight experiences to writing workshops, we are always hosting some kind of immersive event. The Night Sky Tourist Star Dudes create memorable stargazing experiences for your private or corporate event.
Spend a couple of hours with us and you will…
FALL IN LOVE WITH THE DARK
You’ll also love our newsletters. Get behind-the-scenes peeks at what we’re doing, enjoy practical tips for nurturing your relationship with the night sky, and be the first to find out about our local events. When you subscribe, you’ll get our free Month-by-Month Stargazing Guide.
MY STORY
Vicky Derksen
My name is Vicky, the founder and owner of Night Sky Tourist.
My confession: I couldn’t identify anything in the night sky beyond the Moon and the Big Dipper until I was almost 40 years old! But I’ve learned that no matter your age, the stars belong to you.
I grew up under the dark skies of northern Idaho and thought everyone could see the Milky Way the same as I did. Then, I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where it never got completely dark because of light pollution. When I moved to Fountain Hills at the edge of Phoenix, I got some of the stars back and turned my attention to learning the night sky and teaching my children. I gathered twenty students in my community for naked-eye stargazing and astronomy classes, teaching the seasonal constellations, the motions of the celestial bodies, and the phases of the Moon. We constructed sundials and backyard compasses, sketched the night sky, and learned how to use a planisphere.
When guests came to my house, we’d end the evening with stargazing in my backyard. I’ll always remember the gasps of amazement when people saw the rings of Saturn with their own eyes for the first time. Or the childlike wonder that came over them as I recounted ancient star stories about Pleiades, Orion, and Sagittarius. Sometimes, people got teary-eyed when seeing the Moon through the telescope for the first time.
The more I shared the night sky with others, the more my love for the dark grew, and I looked for new opportunities to share it.
2017
Joined Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association
Joined the board of the Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association to help the Town become a Dark Sky Community and to organize the Town’s first Dark Sky Festival
2018
17th International Dark Sky Community
Fountain Hills becomes the world’s 17th International Dark Sky Community
2019
Night Sky Tourist
Founded Night Sky Tourist website and blog; Joined the board of the International Dark Sky Discovery Center
2020
Podcast
Launched the Night Sky Tourist podcast
2021
Dark Sky Advocate
Became an Advocate with Dark Sky International: Served 2-year term as president of Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association
2023
Star Dudes
Launched Night Sky Tourist Star Dudes stargazing business
2024
Night Sky Tourist Experiences
Launched Night Sky Tourist themed experiences
2025
2025 Tourism Award
Recipient of Mayor’s 2025 Tourism Award in Fountain Hills
Download the 2026 Stargazing Guide when you subscribe.
Thank you for taking the time to visit. I’m thrilled that we have connected and excited for the journey ahead with you.
