Event
Stars and Sweets - A Public Night Sky Event
Fee:
Free.Dates & Times
Date:
Time:
Duration:
Type of Event
While this is a drop-in event, we encourage visitors to arrive no later than 9:00 pm to minimize headlights during the stargazing portion of the evening.
Description
You are invited to Valles Caldera National Preserve on Friday, July 5, for a night of stargazing in your International Dark Sky Park. Registration is not required. The main entrance will be open to all during this special event!
The event runs from 7 pm to 11:45 pm and includes special ranger programs, cultural performances from local pueblo communities, telescope viewing thanks to local astronomy clubs, and pastries and night sky items for sale. See event schedule below.
“As an International Dark Sky Park, Valles Caldera has some of the best dark skies in the region,” said Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos. “We continue to explore ways to provide opportunities for visitors to safely experience this magnificent resource. This year, besides our periodic ranger-led night sky programs, we are excited to offer this event that is open to all.”
The park will reopen the gates starting at 7 pm. The gates will be open until 11:45 pm, though we ask visitors to arrive by 9 pm to minimize bright lights and maximize the enjoyment of the night sky. All event activities will take place near the Entrance Station. Parking is limited, so we recommend carpooling as much as possible. As this event takes place at night, we recommend bringing red lights to aid in navigating the event area.
The event is weather-dependent, so please watch this calendar listing for any updates.
EVENT SCHEDULE
7:00 - Main entrance opens
7:00-11:45 - Entrance Station and vendor booths open for sales
7:30-7:45 - Cultural demonstration #1 (TBD)
8:00-8:15 - Cultural demonstration #2 (Tesuque Pueblo youth dancers)
8:30-8:45 - Cultural demonstration #3 (Flute performance by Marlon Magdalena, Pueblo of Jemez)
9:00-9:45 - Astrophotography mini-workshop
9:00-10:00 - Ranger-led hike (Cerro La Jara Loop)
9:00-11:30 - Guided telescope viewing
9:45-10:00 - Light Pollution presentation
10:00-10:15 - Constellations presentation
10:30-11:00 - Astrophotography mini-workshop
11:30-11:45 - All vehicles exit
11:45 - Main entrance closes
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