The College of Southern Idaho opened its Centennial Observatory to the public on June 13, giving roughly 30 residents a chance to observe planets, star clusters, and distant galaxies through one of the Magic Valley’s most powerful telescopes.
The monthly event, known as a star party, is organized by Chris Anderson, an astronomer who serves as coordinator of the Centennial Observatory in Twin Falls. Anderson’s path to the stars was hardly a straight line. In high school, his real passion was genetics — until a Christmas telescope and a well-timed book changed everything. After seeing the rings of Saturn for the first time through that holiday gift, and working through Isaac Asimov’s The Collapsing Universe, he was hooked on the cosmos.
“The very first night that I set up my new telescope… I saw the rings of Saturn,” Anderson said.
He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in physics from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in astrophysics from Iowa State University. His career took him to Baltimore, where he worked at the Space Telescope Science Institute and played a role in some of the Hubble Space Telescope’s earliest operations, helping coordinate observation and repair missions with astronauts. From 1988 to 1993, Anderson and colleagues also worked to bring astronomy into Baltimore-area classrooms, engaging students with the science of the universe.
Now he brings that same mission to Twin Falls, where the Norman Herrett Telescope — dedicated on May 22, 2004 — anchors the Centennial Observatory’s public programming. Anderson describes his educational philosophy in broad terms, emphasizing critical thinking over rote learning. “A good school should not teach you what to think; it should teach you how to think,” he said.
Newcomers Find Community Under the Stars
The June 13 star party drew attendees from varied backgrounds, including several who have recently made Twin Falls home. Samantha Speer, a procurement manager at Chobani who relocated from Arkansas, discovered the event through a simple Google search. She had previously attended a star party in Texas and was familiar with the format — moving between several telescopes, each trained on a different object. What she found in Twin Falls was a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that stood out for its sense of community.
Chris Denham, a physician who moved with his wife and two daughters from Georgia to Twin Falls, was looking for a family-friendly activity that matched his longstanding interest in astronomy. At the June event, Denham and his family observed the same celestial objects through the telescope — Venus, Jupiter, star clusters, and galaxies — making it a shared experience for all generations.
The observatory and its viewing platform are fully wheelchair accessible, making the star party an inclusive event for residents of all ages and physical abilities.
A Fixture for Science Education in the Magic Valley
The Centennial Observatory has become a quiet but consistent asset for the Twin Falls community, offering residents a low-barrier entry point into astronomy and space science. For families new to the area, it represents exactly the kind of grassroots community programming that gives a place its character. For longtime residents, it’s a reminder that some of the most extraordinary experiences — standing beneath a wide Idaho sky and glimpsing the rings of Saturn — require nothing more than showing up.
Anderson’s career arc, from Hubble telescope operations on the East Coast to a college observatory in southern Idaho, reflects the kind of dedication that keeps public science education alive in smaller communities. The star parties cost nothing beyond the willingness to look up, and under Anderson’s coordination, they have maintained a steady following among Magic Valley residents curious about what lies beyond the horizon.
The Kimberly Research Center is also hosting a community welcome event on June 17, offering another opportunity for residents across Twin Falls County to connect with local institutions and neighbors.
What Comes Next
The College of Southern Idaho’s Centennial Observatory holds star parties on a monthly basis. Residents interested in attending a future event can contact the observatory directly through CSI for scheduling details. Given the consistent turnout and the range of celestial objects available for viewing, the events are expected to continue through the summer months, offering clear-sky evenings that take full advantage of southern Idaho’s open skies.