Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Luke Huxley of Boulder

Luke Huxley shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Luke, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Looking up at the night sky always does it for me. One moment I’m here, caught up in emails, errands, and all the little worries of life. The next, I’m staring into deep time. When you realize that some of the light you’re seeing left its galaxy billions of years ago (long before Earth had oceans or trees), suddenly everything else feels a little smaller and quieter.

At AstroTours.org, we often show guests galaxies so far away that their light has been traveling through space since before the dinosaurs. And yet, that light ends its journey in your eye, in this moment. It’s humbling. It stretches your sense of time, but also brings you back to what matters.

I lose track of time because I’m immersed in something timeless. But I find myself again because the vastness brings perspective. The stars don’t just make you feel small (they make you feel connected).

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Luke Huxley, founder of AstroTours.org, a Colorado-based astronomy experience that helps people explore the universe through guided stargazing tours with professional telescopes. Our flagship tours take place in Boulder, Colorado, where guests get hands-on views of stars, planets, and galaxies under dark mountain skies. We also operate in Denver, Castle Rock, and Breckenridge, offering public tours, private events, and educational programs throughout the year.

What makes AstroTours.org special is how we blend science and storytelling. We combine real-time telescope viewing with constellation tours, mythology, and approachable space science that brings the cosmos to life for people of all ages (no background in astronomy needed). Every tour is designed to be immersive, fun, and meaningful.

We’re currently in the process of transforming AstroTours.org into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit so we can expand access to underserved communities. That includes bringing telescopes to places like the Children’s Hospital, low-income schools, and rural areas where science education is limited. When guests book a stargazing tour with us, they’re not just supporting local astronomy (they’re also helping fund free programs for those in need).

If you’re visiting Colorado or live near the Front Range, you can book a stargazing tour in Boulder or any of our other locations at AstroTours.org. Come see Saturn’s rings, distant galaxies, and the Milky Way with your own eyes.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Spending time with Greg Quicke (also known as Space Gandalf) in Broome, Australia changed the way I understand reality. He introduced me to “Earth turning consciousness,” the idea that we are not standing still on a fixed stage, but living on a planet that is constantly moving through space. Watching the stars rise and set with him, I could actually feel the Earth rotating for the first time.

Greg helped people experience their place in the universe. That shift in perspective reshaped how I see life, purpose, and connection. It became the foundation for AstroTours.org, where we use telescopes and storytelling to help people reconnect with the sky and with themselves.

Every tour we run carries that influence. We are not just showing people stars. We are helping them remember where they are in the cosmos.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the hardest things I’ve struggled with is the feeling of being lost in my twenties. I had a degree in astrophysics, but no clear path. I bounced between jobs that didn’t quite fit (fire lookout, fisherman, museum educator) and felt like I was orbiting my purpose without landing anywhere. That uncertainty was painful. I knew I loved space and teaching, but I didn’t yet know how to build a life around that.

The healing came slowly and mostly outside under the stars. It started when I was in Australia learning from Greg Quicke (Space Gandalf), who reminded me that wonder is a tool for healing and connection. Later, it came from building AstroTours.org — turning that sense of disorientation into something grounded and shared.

I found clarity by helping others find perspective. When people look through a telescope for the first time and realize they are part of something vast and beautiful, it shifts them. That shift helped me too.

Now I work to pass that feeling on — especially to those who might feel small, overlooked, or uncertain about where they belong. Whether I’m running a public tour in Boulder or bringing a telescope to a children’s hospital, I want people to feel reconnected with something bigger than their struggle. That’s where I found peace, and it’s where I continue to find it.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the astronomy and media world is that people need a reason to look up. That it has to be a rare celestial event, a media-driven moment, or something viral on social media for the night sky to be “worth it.”

The truth is, the universe is always worth looking at. Even on a regular Tuesday night in Boulder, the stars are doing things that defy comprehension. Galaxies are shining with light that has traveled for billions of years. Planets are orbiting their suns. Space is happening

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I helped them look up — not just at the stars, but at their place in the universe. That I created something that made space feel personal, not distant. That I gave people a moment where everything else faded and they felt wonder, curiosity, or peace.

Through AstroTours.org, I’ve tried to build something lasting — not just a business, but a movement that makes astronomy more accessible, more human, and more generous. I hope people say I made science feel like it belonged to everyone. That I showed up for communities who didn’t have access to telescopes or science programs and made sure they had a seat under the sky.

And most of all, I hope the people I trained, worked with, and collaborated with carry that same spark forward — continuing to light up lives with starlight, story, and connection.

If the only thing people remember is that I helped them feel a little more connected — to the stars, to each other, or to their own curiosity — that’s enough for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Astrotours.org

Image Credits
Astrotours.org