As evening settles over Southern Utah, the sandstone fades from amber to violet and the sky begins to take over. Near Hurricane, Air Force veterans Rob and Jenn Jordan invite guests to slow down, look up and discover what is waiting beyond the glow of town.
The couple created Dark Skies Astronomy Tours to make the night sky understandable and memorable. Their experience blends science, storytelling and powerful telescopes, giving guests a guided view of the moon, planets, nebulae and distant galaxies.
At a glance
A journey across the globe and into the stars
Rob and Jenn met while serving in the United States Air Force. Jenn grew up in St. George and has built an academic path that crosses history, space studies and business. She holds degrees in history and space studies, earned a master of business administration and is working toward a master’s degree in astronomy.
Rob completed a twenty year military career before retiring five years ago. The couple eventually returned to Southern Utah to be closer to family in Hurricane, bringing with them the experience of living and traveling around the world.
That global perspective shapes the way Jenn presents the night sky. Her tours connect modern astronomy with the stories different cultures have told about the stars for generations.
The telescope that sparked a business
The business began with a telescope Rob gave Jenn as a gift. As she explored what the instrument could reveal, an idea started to form.
“She said, ‘If I had a couple more of these, I could start my own business,’” Rob recalled. “So, I called her bluff.”
The playful challenge became a serious plan. The couple built a tour around Jenn’s knowledge, Rob’s support and a shared belief that astronomy should feel welcoming to people who may never have looked through a telescope before.
Deep space technology meets storytelling
Tours are based primarily at Jem Trailhead on land permitted through the Bureau of Land Management. The site sits off Highway 59 toward Apple Valley, away from much of the city light that can wash out faint objects overhead.
Guests arrive about an hour after sunset and gather in padded camping chairs with blankets available for cooler nights. Jenn then leads a presentation lasting about forty five minutes, using a green laser pointer and microphone to help the group identify stars, constellations and planets.
The presentation moves between astronomy, mythology and cultural history. Instead of simply pointing out an object, Jenn explains why it matters and how people have understood it across time.
Optical telescope
Guests can look directly through a traditional telescope to see bright targets such as the moon, planets and star clusters with their own eyes.
Digital telescope
A smart telescope gathers light over time and builds a detailed image, making faint nebulae and galaxies easier to see as a group.
“The technology over the last five to ten years has gotten impressive,” Rob said. “It allows people to see objects that would otherwise be very difficult to make out.”
Keeping the night sky within reach
Rob and Jenn designed the pricing with local families in mind. Adult admission is sixty dollars, while admission for children ages four through twelve is thirty dollars. Admission is fifty dollars for veterans, first responders, seniors and college students.
“We didn’t want to price out ninety percent of the locals,” Rob said. “We want people who live here to be able to experience this, too.”
Adults
Sixty dollars
Children
Thirty dollars for ages four through twelve
Qualifying admission
Fifty dollars for veterans, first responders, seniors and college students
A mission beyond the tour
For Jenn, astronomy education does not end when the telescopes are packed away. She volunteers for quarterly presentations at libraries in Springdale, where she speaks about astronomy, light pollution and conservation.
Those conversations matter in a region known for expansive night skies. As communities grow, the Jordans hope more residents will understand how outdoor lighting choices can protect the view above while still keeping neighborhoods safe and usable.
“We do this because we’re passionate about it,” Rob said. “At the end of the night, you won’t just see the stars, you’ll know them.”
