Death Valley offers some of the best stargazing in America. The International Dark-Sky Association has designated Death Valley National Park a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park, which is the highest rating of darkness.
During our annual spring Dark Sky Festival, visitors are invited to come explore the night sky and the unique park landscapes which can help us better understand wonders beyond our world. This event is a collaboration between Death Valley National Park, our non-profit partner Death Valley Natural History Association, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Ames Research Center, SETI Institute and California Institute of Technology.
Event Schedule
Find 2024's stellar lineup below! Click the images below for festival events. Stay tuned for additional announcements - we hope to see you there!
Astrophotography “How-to” Session Kayla McCraren (NPS)
An opportunity to learn how to take pictures of the stars with your own DSLR camera! Note this session is intended for astrophotography newcomers. Participants should bring their DSLR camera and tripod. 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
Keynote Talk
Lunar Trailblazer Bethany Ehlman (Caltech)
The upcoming Lunar Trailblazer mission is among the first of a new type of NASA mission: small satellites for planetary exploration. Lunar Trailblazer follows up on the discovery of water on the Moon, one of the most surprising discoveries of the 2000s. Lunar Trailblazer will map the distribution of different forms of water on the surface of the moon to better understand the lunar water cycle and inform future human missions as to where supplies of water may be found and extracted as a resource. 7:00 PM -8:00 PM Tickets are required for the Keynote talks. Pick up your free ticket on a first come first serve basis starting the day before at Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
Astrophotography Meet-up
Kayla McCraren (NPS) *Canceled due to high winds*
An opportunity to photograph the stars in one of the darkest locations in the country. Astrophotography volunteers and rangers will be on hand to assist. A DSLR and tripod are essential to enjoy this session 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Astronomy Programs
Furnace Creek Star Party *Canceled due to high winds* Las Vegas Astronomical Society
Explore the night sky through telescopes directed at different planets, stars and more!
Ranger guided constellation tours on the half hour (7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, 9:30 PM) 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Furnace Creek Airport
Caltech Presents: Astronomy on Tap
Join Caltech Scientists for two 20-minute public astronomy talks and space-themed pub trivia over food and drinks at the Badwater Saloon! All ages welcome.
Talk #1: The Mystery of Cosmic Rays - Kathryn Plant (JPL)
Talk #2 The Starry Tapestry: Myrths and Legends of the Night Sky - Kaustav Das (Caltech) 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM, Badwater Saloon, Stovepipe Wells
Furnace Creek Auditorium Presentations
Settling Our Place in the Universe with the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
Dominic Benford(Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope)
Hear from NASA scientist, Dominic Benford, about NASA’S next flagship observatory, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Scheduled to launch in three years, Roman is designed to settle essential questions relating to our place in the universe. It will explore how dark energy and dark matter shaped the cosmos we see around us and how the universe will evolve. It will discover a wealth of exoplanets to answer the question of whether solar systems like ours are common, rare, or perhaps unique. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
The Future of Space Exploration: From Terraforming to Solar Sails Cameron Hummels (Caltech)
Over the last 70 years, humanity has emerged from its cradle on Earth and begun to explore space, with spacecraft visiting every major body in our Solar System. Humanity is now seriously contemplating ideas that were previously considered science fiction. When will we establish a permanent presence on another world? Is it possible (or advisable) to terraform another planet to make it inhabitable for humans? Can we actually travel to neighboring star systems to study them at close range? Join me as I discuss the science of space exploration and forecast our next steps in exploring our Solar System and beyond. 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
Photographing Mars Doug Ellison (JPL)
Visitors to Death Valley leave with amazing memories and a smart phone full of photos. But what if your road trip was to Mars? What photos would you take, and how would you take them. Doug Ellison has taken more than 23,000 images with the Curiosity and Opportunity Mars Rovers, and will explain some of the challenges of operating cameras on a Mars Rover, and what might Death Valley look like if a Mars Rover were to come home - just where is the most Mars-like landscape in the park? 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
Astrophotography “How-to” Session Kayla McCraren (NPS)
An opportunity to learn how to take pictures of the stars with your own DSLR camera! Note this session is intended for astrophotography newcomers. Participants should bring their DSLR camera and tripod. 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
Keynote Talk
Black Holes Don’t Suck!
Varoujan Gorjian (JPL)
What are black holes? What role do they play in the evolution of stars and Galaxies? Are they really the vacuum cleaners of the Universe? Come learn about all of their weird and amazing characteristics and see why black holes don’t suck! 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Furnace Creek Auditorium Tickets are required for the Keynote talks. Pick up your free ticket on a first come first serve basis starting the day before at Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
Talks Around the Park
Searching for Signs of Ancient Life on a Cold and Desolate Mars *Canceled due to high winds and blowing dust* Michael Tuite (JPL)
Exploration of Mars has revealed that the cold and arid planet was once much warmer and wetter - a place potentially hospitable to the emergence of life. Might life have arisen on early Mars like it did on Earth? If it did, what signatures of ancient life might be preserved in rocks on Mars’ surface? Today, the Perseverance rover is collecting geological samples on Mars that may contain evidence of ancient life. Those samples are scheduled to be returned to the Earth within a decade so that scientists can use the most sophisticated, state-of-the-art instruments to address one of science’s Big Questions: Are we alone? 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM, Mars Hill (park on shoulder of road near Artists Drive Exit) Short Walk
Mars-like Places on Earth: A Journey into the Ubehebe Crater *Canceled due to high winds and blowing dust* Rosalba Bonaccorsi (Ames/SETI)
Places in Death Valley appear similar to places on the Red Planet. Come learn how research in Death Valley can help guide us in our understanding of Earth's neighbor. 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Ubehebe Crater Strenuous Walk to bottom of Ubehebe Crater
Tiny Gems, Big Discoveries: Unearthing the Hidden Tales of Badwater Basin's Microbial World Zakaria Jibrin (Goddard Space Flight Center)
Embark on an enlightening journey into the microscopic wonders of Death Valley! From the captivating process of bone growth to understanding how bacteria cause kidney stones, our expedition illuminates a strangely similar world within Badwater Basin. Wrapping up with groundbreaking research that may pave the way for detecting life on another planet! 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Badwater Basin Static Presentation
Dune Stories: Earth, Mars, & Titan *Canceled due to high winds and blowing dust* Mike Malaska (JPL)
Dunes are everywhere! Mars, Titan, Pluto, and even on Comet 67P! Come out to Mesquite Dunes and we’ll learn about the sediment cycle, how dunes form, what clues to look for in a dune field, and compare and contrast dunes on Earth with those on other worlds. 2:30 PM- 3:30 PM, Mesquite Sand Dunes Moderate Walk
The Brightness of the Void *Canceled due to high winds and blowing dust* Leslie Heid (JPL)
Join us on this evening walk as we explore the infinite rainbow that fills our cosmos. Mission Modeler Leslie Heid from JPL's Deep Space Network discusses the electromagnetic spectrum, how we see what stars are made of, and the advantages and disadvantages of different wavelengths for use in spacecraft communications. 8:30 PM- 9:30 PM, Zabriskie PointShort Walk
Astronomy Programs
Furnace Creek Star Party *Canceled due to high winds. In lieu of this, additional programs are scheduled at the Furnace Creek Auditorium for 9:00 PM: a 20 minute talk on Ubehebe Crater use as an analog for other planets, and a 20 minute talk on lasers and light spectra.* Las Vegas Astronomical Society, NPS
Explore the night sky through telescopes directed at different planets, stars and more!
Ranger guided constellation tours on the half hour (7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, 9:30 PM) 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Furnace Creek Airport
Caltech Presents: Astronomy on Tap
Join Caltech Scientists for two 20-minute public astronomy talks and space-themed pub trivia over food and drinks at the Wildrose Tavern! All ages welcome.
Talk #1 How Supermassive Black Holes Shape their Host Galaxies - Joanna Piotrowska-Karpov (Caltech)
Talk #2 (star)Dust to Dust: the Formation, Observaiton, and Impact of Space Dust - Sam Rose (Caltech) 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM, Wildrose Tavern, The Oasis at Death Valley
Astrophotography Meet-up
Kayla McCraren (NPS) *Canceled due to high winds* An opportunity to photograph the stars in one of the darkest locations in the country. Astrophotography volunteers and rangers will be on hand to assist. A DSLR and tripod are essential to enjoy this session 8:30PM-9:30PM, Harmony Borax Works
Family Program
Build A Mars Lander *Canceled due to high winds and blowing dust* NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/NPS
Become a NASA engineer! Design, build, and land your own “spacecraft” on Mars. Suitable for all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a caretaker. 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM, 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM, White tent behind Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Exploration Fair
Explore the booths at the Exploration Fair to talk with scientists and participate in hands on activities. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Furnace Creek Visitor Center Courtyard (moved to inside the visitor center)
Furnace Creek Auditorium Presentations
Astrobiology 101: The Search for Life on Other Planets Luke Sollitt (Ames)
Not too long ago, the idea of astrobiology was confined only to the realm of science fiction. Over the last 30+ years, however, it has evolved into a major academic field, and has become one of the principal foci of NASA’s exploration enterprise. Astrobiologists are looking for life on other worlds. What does it mean to do that? What are they looking for, and how are they looking? Dr. Sollitt will talk about what this new science is, and how it gets done with telescopes looking at the stars, missions to other worlds of our Solar System, and right here on Earth studying strange life forms that would have been thought impossible in the quite recent past. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
Astrophysicist Q&A Various (Caltech)
A panel of professional astronomers and astrophysicists from Caltech will field questions from the audience on all topics related to astronomy, physics, and space science. Join us and bring your burning questions about planets, stars, galaxies, life in the universe, black holes, science fiction, and more! 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
The Next Total Solar Eclipse: Where and How to Watch It, and What's Happening Andrea Jones (Goddard)
On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing through Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Come learn where and how to watch it safely, and what's going on in space to let us witness this spectacular event. Learn too, about NASA's exploration of the Moon and our preparations to go back, with people, through the Artemis program. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
Amateur Astronomy and Astrophotography in our National Parks and Public Lands with an intro to light pollution Jeremy Evans (IDA Ambassador)
This program covers light pollution and prevention followed by a night sky tour using basic photography equipment and deep sky telescope imaging. Featuring images from Death Valley, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Sequoia, and more, see the Milky Way, lunar rainbows, meteor showers, distant galaxies, comets and nebulas. Come learn more about night photography and astronomy or simply enjoy the slideshow. 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM, Furnace Creek Auditorium
Talks Around the Park
Searching for signs of ancient life on a cold and desolate Mars Michael Tuite (JPL)
Exploration of Mars has revealed that the cold and arid planet was once much warmer and wetter - a place potentially hospitable to the emergence of life. Might life have arisen on early Mars like it did on Earth? If it did, what signatures of ancient life might be preserved in rocks on Mars’ surface? Today, the Perseverance rover is collecting geological samples on Mars that may contain evidence of ancient life. Those samples are scheduled to be returned to the Earth within a decade so that scientists can use the most sophisticated, state-of-the-art instruments to address one of science’s Big Questions: Are we alone? 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM, Mars Hill Short Walk
Ubehebe Crater: An Explosive Analog for Planetary Volcanism Zach Morse (Goddard Space Flight Center)
Volcanism is a geologic process that connects many planetary bodies across the solar system. Come for a short walk to learn about the explosive eruptions that created Ubehebe Crater and how they can teach NASA scientists about the volcanic history of the Moon and Mars. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Ubehebe Crater Short Walk
Tiny Gems, Big Discoveries: Unearthing the Hidden Tales of Badwater Basin's Microbial World Zakaria Jibrin (Goddard Space Flight Center)
Embark on an enlightening journey into the microscopic wonders of Death Valley! From the captivating process of bone growth to understanding how bacteria cause kidney stones, our expedition illuminates a strangely similar world within Badwater Basin. Wrapping up with groundbreaking research that may pave the way for detecting life on another planet! 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Badwater Basin Static Presentation
Dune Stories: Earth, Mars, & Titan Mike Malaska (JPL)
Dunes are everywhere! Mars, Titan, Pluto, and even on Comet 67P! Come out to Mesquite Dunes and we’ll learn about the sediment cycle, how dunes form, what clues to look for in a dune field, and compare and contrast dunes on Earth with those on other worlds. 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM, Mesquite Sand Dunes Moderate Walk
The Brightness of the Void Leslie Heid (JPL)
Join us on this evening walk as we explore the infinite rainbow that fills our cosmos. Mission Modeler Leslie Heid from JPL's Deep Space Network discusses the electromagnetic spectrum, how we see what stars are made of, and the advantages and disadvantages of different wavelengths for use in spacecraft communications. 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM, Zabriskie Point Short Walk
Astronomy Programs
NPS
Explore the incredible night sky with a ranger! Bring a red flashlight to protect night vision. Optional items: binoculars and chair. 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Harmony Borax Works
Family Program
Build A Mars Lander NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/NPS
Become a NASA engineer! Design, build, and land your own “spacecraft” on Mars. Suitable for all ages. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a caretaker. 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM, 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM, White tent behind Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Exploration Fair
Explore the booths at the Exploration Fair to talk with scientists and participate in hands on activities. 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Furnace Creek Visitor Center Courtyard
Where to Stay
The park gets busy during the festival, so we recommend making reservations early. Camping and lodging options are available.
Enjoying the Park at Night
Want to experience Death Valley at night but can't make it for the festival? Rangers have created a list of some of the best ways to explore Death Valley after dark.
Accessibility
Welcome to Death Valley National Park! Please be aware that the temperatures, weather, altitude, traffic, construction and road conditions in Death Valley may vary and change depending on the time of year. Before your visit, we suggest you check out our park website (road conditions and alerts), the National Weather Service’s forecast for the area of the park you plan to visit, and/or contact our team for current updates (deva_information@nps.gov).
Weather
Death Valley in the Spring can experience moderate, to slightly chilly, to hot temperatures.
Average February Temperatures: 73°F- 46°F or 23°C-8°C.
Record February Temperatures: 98°F-21°F or 37°F- -6°F.
Other Weather Conditions: Can experience possible light showers; frequent wind/dust storms with winds that could reach up to 50 mph or 80 kmh
Altitude: Altitude throughout the park and along the main roads can drastically change from -127ft/-39m below sea level to 5,000ft/1,829m in elevation.
Cellular Signal and Wi-Fi
Cellular signal and Wi-Fi capabilities are weak. Please keep this in mind if you use any Wi-Fi enabled medical devices.
Call 911
If it is an emergency and if you have cell signal, call 911. Death Valley has its own EMT first responders.
First Aid Room
Located at Furnace Creek Visitor’s Center. Speak to a Ranger for access.
