2010 Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival

2010 Astronomy Festival
Date: June 22, 2010
Contact: Kevin Poe, 435.834.5322

Celebrate the 10th Annual Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival, July 7-10, 2010

Bryce Canyon National Park’s Acting Superintendent, Kathleen Gonder , invites you to join Bryce Canyon’s "Dark Rangers" and amateur astronomers from the Salt Lake Astronomical Society for the 10th Annual Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival.

“Astronomy is fast becoming a big part of Bryce Canyon’s international appeal,” says Acting Superintendent Gonder, “People come from all over the world to see our stars and yet many Utahans have yet to experience the beauty of our night sky. So, that’s why I’m extending an invitation to all of my fellow Utahans. For the duration of our Astronomy Festival, I’ve authorized that Bryce Canyon’s $25 entrance fee will be waived for all non-commercial vehicles operated by a driver with a valid Utah Driver’s license.”

This year’s festival will be held Wednesday, July 7 through Saturday, July 10. Tyler Nordgren, 2010 keynote speaker, kicks-off the event with his presentation, "Stars Above, Earth Below."

Dr. Nordgren is an Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Redlands. As an observational astronomer he has written over two dozen peer-reviewed papers on pulsars, the interstellar medium, star formation in galaxies, the distribution of dark matter in galaxies, and the atmospheres and pulsation of red giant stars. In “Stars Above, Earth Below,” Tyler Nordgren examines a range of astronomical topics and makes the connection between them and the landscapes, processes, and cultures which can be seen and experienced within specific U.S. National Parks.

Dr. Nordgren’s program will be held Wednesday, July 7, from 8:30pm-9:45pm in Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill in Bryce Canyon City, Utah adjacent to the park. Tickets are $2 per person, or $5 per family, and will be sold at the door. Following the indoor presentation, free stargazing with telescopes will be provided back in the park, courtesy of the Salt Lake Astronomical Society and the “Dark Rangers” of Bryce Canyon.

The 2010 Astronomy Festival will also feature model rocket building and launching workshops led daily by veteran rocketeer, Fred Olsen, of Alpine, Utah. Other afternoon workshops cover such topics as learning the night sky using planispheres, learning about our sun and safely viewing it with solar telescopes, and guided walks along a scale model of our solar system. In the evenings, join the “Dark Rangers” and other guest speakers for presentations on topics related to astronomy and nocturnal animals, before venturing out into the night to stargaze under Bryce Canyon's famous dark skies. Thanks to the Salt Lake Astronomical Society, over 50 telescopes, most of them huge, will be available for public viewing of the universe after the nightly presentations.

Throughout the festival, the Bryce Canyon Shuttle will provide free transportation to and from program venues within the park. Additionally, free shuttles will travel between Bryce Canyon City to Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill Arena for those attending Tyler Nordgren’s program on opening night. Contact the Shuttle Boarding Area at Ruby’s Inn for information (435-834-5290).

NASA’s Solar System Ambassador, and arguably Utah’s most famous sky watcher, Patrick Wiggins, proclaims, “I’ve been to zillions of these star parties, all around the world, and nobody does it like Bryce Canyon! Not only is it one of the darkest places left on the planet, they make it fun for all ages. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist or an astronomy geek to have a blast!”

“And the best part,” adds Larry Thrower, Bryce Canyon Fee Collection Supervisor, “is that if you’re a Utahan, all you have do is show your driver’s license and tell my staff, ‘We’ve come to see the stars!’ and we’ll let you in for free, for all four days and nights!”

Non-Utah residents must pay the park entrance fee, $25 per car, good for 7 days, or purchase an $80 America the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass which for 12-months from the time of purchase, waives entrance fees to all 392 National Park Service areas; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Forest Service lands. Lifetime passes for seniors and persons with disabilities are also available and offer the same privilege.

Concludes Dark Ranger Poe, “We’ll be doing over 100 astronomy programs this year at Bryce Canyon -- every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night, May through October. But, the Astronomy Festival is the main event. We hope to see you there! For more information consult the Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival Website.