Star gazers should consider attending the 25th annual Grand Canyon Star Party that runs June 13-20/NPS file photo

With the spring monsoonal moisture forecast to ebb, consider a visit to Grand Canyon National Park in mid-June for the park's 25th annual star party. The event on both the North and South rims of the park will run from June 13-20.

This event is sponsored by the National Park Service, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (South Rim), and the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix (North Rim), with funding from Grand Canyon Association. Amateur astronomers from across the country will volunteer their expertise. Free slide programs will be presented and numerous telescopes will offer views of Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn as well as star clusters, double stars, nebulae and distant galaxies. By day, look for telescopes pointed at the sun or a bright planet. Weather permitting, expect spectacular views of the universe.

On the South Rim, events include a nightly slide show at 8 p.m. in the theater of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, followed by free telescope viewing behind the building. Green-laser Constellation Tours will be offered at 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m., and 10 p.m.

Parking will be available in Lots 1 through 4 (use Lot 4 if accessibility is an issue), or arrive by the free Village Route shuttle bus, which runs until 11 p.m. To guarantee a seat at the slide show, arrive early; doors open at 7:40 p.m. Telescope viewing is best after 9 p.m. and continues well into the night; visitors may arrive any time after dark. A flashlight is recommended for the walk to the viewing area, but white lights are not permitted on the Telescope Lot. Give your eyes time to dark-adapt, or use a red flashlight, easily made by covering any flashlight with red cellophane, nail polish, or permanent marker.

On the North Rim, telescopes will be set up on the porch of the Grand Canyon Lodge every evening. Check the visitor center and park bulletin boards for additional daytime and evening events.

Nighttime temperatures on both rims can be quite cool, even in summer. Those attending the star party are encouraged to bring warm layers of clothing. When traveling in the park on the South Rim, it is best to find a parking space and use the free shuttle bus system to access points of interest in the Grand Canyon Village area. For shuttle bus information, visit this site.