The 35th annual Grand Canyon Star Party is set for June 21 through June 28, giving participants a chance to glimpse spectacular celestial sites under the park's dark skies.
The event takes place on both the South Rim and North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, with amateur astronomers from around the world volunteering their telescopes and expertise. From the Milky Way to star clusters and distant galaxies, the views are endless.
Stargazing isn't just limited to nighttime, either. During the day, solar telescopes will be pointed at the sun.
South Rim events also include a nightly slide show and guest speaker. Telescope viewing is best after 9 p.m. and continues well into the night. It is recommended to arrive early to get a good seat for the speaker presentation. Participants should also carry a red flashlight, or a white flashlight covered in red cellophane, and give their eyes plenty of time to adjust to the dark.
On the North Rim, telescopes will be set up on the terrace of the Grand Canyon Lodge every evening. Astronomers will also use green lasers to point out constellations.
Grand Canyon National Park is open 24 hours a day and is a certified International Dark-Sky Park through DarkSky International. It and other parks like it help protect some of the last remaining dark skies in the U.S. and attract astronomers and photographers alike with events throughout the year.
Of course weather is always a factor when it comes to stargazing. Remember that nighttime temperatures on both rims can be quite cool, even in summer.
The star party event is sponsored by the National Park Service, Grand Canyon Conservancy, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (South Rim), and the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix (North Rim).
More details are available on the park's Star Party website, at visitor centers and on park billboards.
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