The National Park Service will host the 24th annual Grand Canyon Star Party starting tonight June 21st through the 28th, 2014.
Volunteer astronomers from the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix set up telescopes on the veranda of the Grand Lodge North Rim. 8pm evening programs will prepare star gazers for some of the starry sights.
Amateur astronomer Steve Dodder
Activities on the South Rim include volunteers from the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association offering a nightly slide show at 8pm in the Grand Canyon Visitor Center theater followed by telescope viewing behind the building.
June star map from 365 Starry Nights by Chet Raymo
Viewing the night sky is best after 9pm and continues well into the night. Dress warm for the cool high elevation temperatures. Bring a flashlight but not white light that will reduce night vision. Make it a red light with cellophane, nail polish or permanent marker. Give your eyes time to adapt to the dark by counting to 10 with eyes closed, and of course not walking at the same time.
Join the party and look to the sky!
All events are free and made possible by funding from Grand Canyon Association.
How fun would that be. No stars in sight here in Alaska this time of year. Still bright out last night at midnight.
Instead of stars you get to see the midnight sun. How cool is that.
What a GREAT way to celebrate the summer solstice!
I love the first picture – it reminded me of when we were at the North Rim…I was so amazed at how you could see the lights of the South Rim across the canyon at night. So close – but yet so far. I am thankful we got the chance to hike to the river and stay at the Phantom Ranch over the winter; with my skintype, it truly was the perfect time to go (and it was a mild winter with little snow at the South when we were there). But, I keep thinking about a Rim-to-Rim hike and getting to know the North Kaibab trail a bit more!
The best star party we ever went to was at the McDonald Observatory near Ft. Davis, Texas. It was amazing down there – very little light pollution – so many telescopes…such knowledgeable hosts. Always a good time!
Yes, you really need to plan a rim-to-rim. It’s a whole different experience.
Tonight the milky-way was bright and stars were forever.
I’ve always had an interest in the star but unfortunately never learned much about it
Never to late to start.
What a great idea!