News Release

Heritage Starfest on September 26 to 28, 2019

Date: September 16, 2019
Contact: Visitor Center, 435-425-4111

Capitol Reef National Park and the Entrada Institute are partnering to present the 10th annual Heritage Starfest. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about dark skies. Events include lectures from assistant professor Cameron Pace of Southern Utah University, solar viewing, and stargazing with telescopes.  The dark skies of Wayne County and Capitol Reef are among the darkest in the nation allowing visitors from around the world to enjoy pristine skies full of planets, constellations, and the Milky Way. This event celebrates dark sky resources. Bring a red headlamp or flashlight and dress warm for all evening events.

Thursday, September 26 - all events at Capitol Reef National Park

• 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Solar viewing, visitor center.
• 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Evening ranger program on night skies, campground amphitheater.
• 8:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Star talk (no telescopes), Gifford House.
• 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm. Stargazing with telescopes, Gifford House.

Friday, September 27 – all events at Capitol Reef National Park

• 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Kid’s astronomy activities, Ripple Rock Nature Center.
• 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Solar viewing, visitor center.

• 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Evening program with Cameron Pace, campground amphitheater.
• 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Stargazing with telescopes, campground amphitheater parking lot.

Saturday, September 28 – events in Capitol Reef National Park and Bicknell and Teasdale, UT.

• 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Kid’s astronomy activities, Ripple Rock Nature Center.
• 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Solar viewing, Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center.
• 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Evening program with Cameron Pace, Wayne County Community Center, Bicknell, UT.
• 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Stargazing with telescopes, Wayne County Community Center, Bicknell, UT.

• 10:00 pm until late. Citizen Science night sky monitoring project. Teasdale, UT. Check http://facebook.com/heritagestarfest/ for specific time and location. Date may change due to weather.

All events are free and open to the public. Learn about the Entrada Institute and the Heritage Starfest at www.entradainstitute.org. Visit www.ida.org to learn about the International Dark Sky Association. Information about Capitol Reef National Park can be found at www.nps.gov/care.